A recent report highlights that the shift to electric vehicles in European cities is insufficient to combat air pollution, as significant emissions arise from tire and brake wear. These non-exhaust emissions pose a health risk comparable to traditional exhaust gases.

The report, prepared by EIT Urban Mobility, emphasizes the considerable impact of tire, road, and brake wear on air quality levels across European cities. It suggests that prioritizing public transportation over electric car adoption could lead to a fivefold greater reduction in these non-exhaust emissions.

Copenhagen’s technical and environmental mayor, Line Barfod, views the report as a call for reducing the number of cars in the city and enhancing its appeal for cyclists. Barfod stresses the municipality’s commitment to ensuring cleaner air, enabling children to play outdoors and residents to cycle and walk without health concerns.

While acknowledging the positive step of transitioning away from fossil fuel vehicles, Barfod emphasizes that it is not enough. Dangerous particle pollution persists from sources like tires and brakes, necessitating further action.

The report’s findings, based on emission measurements in London, are considered applicable to other European cities, according to EIT Urban Mobility. Although the report does not specifically reference Denmark or Copenhagen, its implications are relevant to urban areas across the continent.