Bigger, Heavier Cars Cause More Pollution

“Autobesity”, or “car bloat” refers to the phenomenon of growing car sizes. In recent years, bigger cars have become more popular. Often, they are larger than the cars that they replace. Unfortunately, this increasing size leads to more particles being released when cars brake or tires are in contact with the roadways. These particles contribute roughly half of the air pollution created by traffic. As the trend of larger cars being more popular continues, these Pollution effects will worsen. 

Larger cars began to gain popularity in the 1990s. Since then not only the size but also the weight of the average car has increased. Larger cars lead not only to increased Pollution but also to parking hassles and safety concerns. 

In a study carried out by a team from Imperial College London, researchers looked at air Pollution caused by car brakes. They simulated six different types of cars driving and put them through an international standard vehicle test. The team, led by Dr. William Hicks, found that brakes in a large SUV worked two times as hard as those in a small car. Since the brakes had to work harder, more particles were released into the environment causing more Pollution. 

There have been several studies pointing to adverse health effects from these particulates. Cardiovascular and lung systems may be adversely affected by breathing in particulates from brakes, tires, and roadways.

Questions remain about the effects that increasing numbers of hybrid and electric cars have on particle emissions. Although electric car batteries make these cars heavier than gas alternatives, they also have regenerative braking. Regenerative braking reduces the use of friction brakes. This means that these cars may emit fewer particles from their brakes than gas cars. 

Similarly, reducing aggressive braking can help to reduce the amount of particles emitted. Lower speed limits, smooth driving, and media campaigns have all been proposed as ways to help combat automotive particle Pollution. 

Sign this petition to Help Phase Out Gas Cars.

Solution Not Pollution Sweatshirt by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content: 

• Top Source of Oil Pollution in the Ocean is Our Cars, New Report Finds 
• Used Cars Exported to Developing Nations Causing Significant Air Pollution, UN Report Finds
• Carnival Cruise Ships Emit More Emissions Than All the Cars in Europe in 2022
• Manchin Reluctant to Transition to Electric Cars Over Foreign Supply Chain Concerns
• Europe’s Luxury Cruises Are Polluting the Equivalent of 1 Billion Cars

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in typical household and personal care products!