Extra battery weight of electric cars means ways must be found to cut particulate emissions<\/p>\n
You would think that battery electric cars, having no exhaust pipes, would emit less air pollution than diesel and petrol vehicles. A controversial<\/a> study<\/a> in 2016 said particle pollution from electric cars would be worse. Due to battery weight, electric cars are about 200-300kg heavier than comparable-size cars that burn oil-based fuel. More weight means more particle pollution<\/a> from the wear of brakes, tyres and roads. This could offset the absence of an exhaust.<\/p>\n New analysis<\/a> by the University of Birmingham, suggests that regenerative braking, where the electric motor slows the car, should mean electric vehicles are less polluting in urban areas. A study<\/a> in Los Angeles found that brakes on electric cars are used for about one-eighth of the time of those on oil-fuelled cars. However, the extra weight of electric cars means they are likely to emit more particle pollution on high-speed motorways.<\/p>\n