Buttons are making a comeback in new cars. Soon there may be a button that can reduce tire wear, Swedish researcher believes.
Electric cars and tire wear are inextricably linked. In fact, the tires for electric cars are up to 100 percent more expensive than those for petrol and diesel cars.
Although electric cars are considered to be emission-free during traffic, they contribute to air pollution through particles from tire wear. This wear and tear is often more pronounced on electric cars due to their weight and strong acceleration.
To counter this problem, the Swedish Electromobility Center has funded a project focused on measuring and understanding tire wear on electric cars. The project, carried out by VTI and Volvo Cars, investigates how to reduce this wear and tear.
Senior researcher at VTI, Mats Gustafsson, leads the project and sees opportunities to actively manage tire wear.
– The weight and engine power are problems, but at the same time it is relatively easy to control electric cars quickly and with high precision.
– This means that there must be good opportunities to influence tire wear, says Mats Gustafsson according to Auto Motor och Sport.
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He even suggests a dedicated button for electric cars of the future. If you press it, the car itself does something to wear down the tires less.
– Who knows, maybe the electric cars will get a 'reduce tire wear' button in the future. It could be a chore program that coincides with the 'eco setting' (which already exists in several cars, ed.). But it remains to be seen.
The project, called "Tyre wear and tire particle emission from electric tow trucks", will run over two years.
The researchers will use VTI's tire testing facility in Linköping, chassis dynamometers at Volvo Cars in Gothenburg and Volvo's test track in Hällered to collect data and test solutions.
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