How to make an EV tire that won’t pollute the environment

mox@lemmy.sdf.org to Technology@lemmy.world – 209 points –
How to make an EV tire that won’t pollute the environment
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And now to make lighter EVs that don't wear on the road so much.

And now to make lighter EVs that don’t wear on the road so much.

Tesla Model 3 Long Range (as an example) weighs in at 4,034 lbs, while the Ford F150 is 4,391 to 5,863 lbs.

Shouldn't we start with the majority of ICE vehicles which already weigh the same or more than EVs?

A model 3 to an f150 is absolutely apples and oranges.

The cars might be, but their weights are their weights and that is an apples to apples comparison in the context of

And now to make lighter EVs that don't wear on the road so much.

Why not just compare the model 3 to an 18-wheeler then? Those weigh way more. Would have made his point better.

And it's a completely meaningful comparison, as long as you throw away the fact that different vehicles are used for different things.

Why not just compare the model 3 to an 18-wheeler then? Those weigh way more. Would have made his point better.

And it’s a completely meaningful comparison, as long as you throw away the fact that different vehicles are used for different things.

They're designed for different things. While I'll agree that the many F-150 drivers are using them for their appropriate grade of work or towing, I'm guessing there are more F-150s that are used as grocery-getting-pavement-princesses than all the Tesla Model 3s ever sold.

In that way, F-150 is identical to Tesla Model 3 as far as use case.

Alternatively, the model 3 is ~700 lb heavier than a Toyota Camery (which is actually a vehicle with the same use case as the Tesla)

Seriously. We are talking about tire tread compared to weight. Both use multiple sizes of tire depending on the year/model. There are a few that overlap in diameter to get the closest to comparison but they still have a very different width. We are talking about a 235/35R18 vs a 235/75R18. That is a huge difference in wall height/aspect ratio and changes how the tire gives under power. Those numbers massively change depending on model as well. Something like an f150 raptor could have a 315/70R17, almost a foot wide. So comparing just the weight and saying they are close enough is far from a fair comparison.

A model 3 to an f150 is absolutely apples and oranges.

Seriously. We are talking about tire tread compared to weight.

Are we? I thought we were talking about tire particulate pollution. Why have I never heard the conversation raised that truck tire pollution is a problem? Why is it only EVs that its suddenly an issue?

Just because a Ford truck weighs a lot doesn't mean we shouldn't address EV tire wear.

Do a lot of people own trucks that shouldn't because they don't use them as trucks? Yes. I'd argue that's a completely different argument.

This isn't an EV only issue, but it is highlighted for EVs because they go through tires faster than equivalent sized (not weight) vehicles.

In the end I would hope all vehicles would be equipped with tires that don't kill aquatic life!

Just because a Ford truck weighs a lot doesn’t mean we shouldn’t address EV tire wear.

I agree. However, this started with a highlighting of EV tire pollution. Arguably mainstream EVs entered production in 2012. F-150 and other trucks of equal or more weight have been on the road since about the late 1970s. Why is it this is an EV tire pollution discussion only?

Do a lot of people own trucks that shouldn’t because they don’t use them as trucks? Yes.

We agree.

I’d argue that’s a completely different argument.

How so? Are you arguing that a truck that weighs the same the produces equal tire pollution is okay, but an EV that weighs the same with equal tire pollution isn't okay?

This isn’t an EV only issue, but it is highlighted for EVs because they go through tires faster than equivalent sized (not weight) vehicles.

Isn't this following the same flawed logic that trucks shouldn't have to get high MPG efficiency because they are trucks, while ICE cars are held to higher efficiency standards? Your logic seems to suggest we could solve this EV tire pollution problem by simply eliminating EV cars and only driving EV trucks because then they'd get a pass on tire pollution like current ICE trucks do.

In the end I would hope all vehicles would be equipped with tires that don’t kill aquatic life!

I agree, but your other statements prior seem to give a pass to ICE (or EV trucks).

I keep fingers crossed for wireless charging built in road 🤷‍♂️

Wireless charging is very inefficient, I don't see that happening unless some new tech gets invented.

Sure, it's not ideal but in the grand scheme it might be the future as it'd change many aspects starting with battery sizes. It might be a failure as well, due to politics and economics, who knows.

Wireless charging: The roads where electric vehicles never need to plug in

Yeah, could be nice. You should check out Aptera, it's kinda sorta almost the same thing. Up to 40 miles of charge per day from solar.