As we gradually say goodbye to internal combustion engines, the tires we use are also changing. Here’s what you need to know about zero emission tires.
What are Zero Emission Tires?
Amidst the rising trend of electric vehicles, many components of our vehicles, including their production materials and design, are undergoing significant changes. Next in line are zero emission tires. As we shift to electric vehicles, tires have become one of the largest sources of particle emissions. But what exactly are zero emission tires and what do they do?
Towards a Cleaner Future
We owe ourselves a pat on the back because, since the industrial revolution, our industrial activities heavily polluted our environment. Unfiltered chimneys, untreated waste contaminating drinking water with carcinogens, and more, once made the world nearly uninhabitable due to environmental pollution. However, with the “Clean Air Act” of 1970, we continued to make strides towards improvement. Today, while we still live in a polluted world, our waste production is nearly matched by our recycling efforts, indicating that advancing technologies are leading us towards a cleaner environment. Among the biggest contributors to air pollution are vehicles with internal combustion engines.
While it’s not entirely fair to blame cars since they are seriously “world-changing machines,” we have tried to mitigate their impact with particle filters, different types of fuels, engine additives, and more.
The Real Game Changer: Electric Vehicles and Zero Emission Tires
But to truly achieve zero emissions, transitioning to electric vehicles is crucial. We haven’t fully transitioned to electric vehicles yet, but the trend has certainly started. Along with this, the concept of zero emission tires has emerged.
With the shift to electric vehicles, the release of microplastics, or particles, into the environment has significantly decreased, moving us closer to zero emissions. However, the rubber-plastic based products used in our tires, derived from fossil fuels, are still major sources of particles. Hence, the development of zero emission tires has begun. Enso, led by founder Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, is a pioneering brand in this field. Enso has managed to implement a 10% reduction in rolling resistance, which not only increases the range of electric vehicles but also reduces particle emissions by 35%.
Erlendsson also touched on the topic of 6PPD, a substance used in the manufacture of rubber products to prevent deformation and damage under conditions of heat, cold, pressure, and stress. However, 6PPD is harmful to the environment and human health. Erlendsson noted that they have conducted the necessary research to eliminate the need for 6PPD in production, although details cannot currently be disclosed due to confidentiality agreements.
Your Thoughts on Zero Emission Tires
What do you think about zero emission tires? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
