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@dymaxion@infosec.exchange

2026-05-05 07:26 UTC

@gkrnours The added weight of batteries is already causing problems from electric cars — they actually cause more particulate emissions than gas cars, because emissions controls on gas engines are a very mature technology, and most of the pollution comes from tire and brake wear, which scales more than linearly with weight. Particulate emissions from road traffic are a significant cause of preventable deaths. This doesn't mean EV cars are bad, of course, far from it, but it does mean that we need to put EVs in particular and cars in general on a serious diet. There's no room for doubling the weight of batteries. For low-cost, light non-highway vehicles? Maybe, sure. But we're much much better off electrifying with what we have immediately. @bascule

Replies (2)

  • @gkrnours@mastodon.gamedev.place 2026-05-05 09:27

    @dymaxion @bascule honestly, I think we would be better not electrifying our current car and spending that effort on more public transport and more lightweight solution like electric bike but that's probably another subject. IMO, the doubling point is only because lithium had more R&D than sodium. Wikipedia say the density range is 75-200 W·h/kg against 160-300 for standard lithium. They also said aince 1991, the lithium density improved threefold. I would not be surprised if sodium catch up

    Open ##2017359

  • @bascule@mas.to 2026-05-05 13:38

    @dymaxion @gkrnours it's not that simple. EVs have significantly lower brake dust emissions due to regenerative braking. For the tire study, the most widely circulated one from Emissions Analytics notes "it's not especially an electric vehicle problem", and that EVs often use different less toxic rubber formulations, and ICE are getting heavier too https://www.emissionsanalytics.com/news/how-tyre-emissions-hide-in-plain-sight Newer studies suggest EVs produce lower particulate emissions than ICE: https://ev.com/news/study-reveals-evs-produce-less-brake-and-tire-pollution-with-fewer-non-exhaust-emissions

    Open ##2017361