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Agree - eBikes solve so many problems if we could only create there infra for them. Aside from co2, which is partially offset by the emissions from materials an
by npunt 4y ago
Agree - eBikes solve so many problems if we could only create there infra for them. Aside from co2, which is partially offset by the emissions from materials and manufacture, the only thing EVs really have going for them is less brake dust. However even that may be offset by the additional tire wear due to their weight and which contributes more to poor air quality than ice engines do these days. EVs being heavier also means more road maintenance required.
Basically EVs are just kicking the can down the road a little bit, within the confines of our culture and infrastructure, but do not solve our structural problems.
- sephamorr 4y agoYou have to be very careful when talking about relative pollutant emissions. Yes, the average EV is heavier and results in more tire wear and tire dust, but note that these particles are much larger (pm10 or larger) than most ICE particulates (~pm2.5). Heavier particles fall out of the air much faster and don't get stuck in the bottom of lungs. Overall pm2.5 particles are far more harmful to human health once inhaled as well. Regarding maintenance, road wear is a high order function with axle weight - so trucks and weathering contribute the vast majority of wear. So light duty cars getting a bit heavier won't make much difference, and regulations already bound axle weights, so it won't be increasing for EV heavy duty vehicles. This all being said, the average American city and suburb suck and totally need to be reorganized around literally anything except the automobile. Visiting the Netherlands just made me sad...thinking this is how nice cities can be. I imagine the mental health benefits of such city planning could even outweigh the environmental ones.