If you’re any kind of vehicle enthusiast, the subject of emissions is probably not far from your mind. What’s the first thing you think of when you hear that word, though? If it’s exhaust emissions, you’re not alone. However, in May, 2022, British independent research firm Emissions Analytics published a new study that claims tire emissions pollute at a rate that’s 1,850 times worse than exhausts.
Now, we should note here that this survey was conducted using cars and other light-duty four-wheeled passenger vehicles, not motorcycles. However, the same basic principles still matter for riders, even if the exact details differ. For example, there are, as you’d expect, several factors in play when considering the pollution generated by tires. How aggressively you drive (or ride) plays a role, as does how new your tires are (newer tires shed more particulates). Vehicle weight is also a significant issue, which is concerning to battery-electric vehicle drivers in 2022, due in large part to the fact that they’re not particularly light on the scale.
