The automotive industry is preparing for an electric car revolution sparked by new federal climate standards. Next year, the European Union will implement the world’s first comprehensive rules to curb brake emissions. This collaborative effort directly addresses pollution caused by brake dust. Brake dust is a huge, though often overlooked, contributor to urban air quality. The new Euro 7 regulations will impose strict limits on brake emissions of PM10 from new vehicles, ranging from 3 to 11 mg/km, depending on the type of vehicle.
Adriana Diaz, director of innovation at Brembo, highlights the urgent need for greater knowledge about brake pollution. She noted that “there seems to be limited awareness of this pollution.” This lack of public awareness is particularly problematic as manufacturers need to get ready to meet the new inevitable regulations.
The new standards will drive manufacturers to innovate and implement new solutions, methods, and processes to reduce harmful emission levels to the proposed strict limits. A typical car equipped with grey cast iron brake discs and low-steel brake pads currently emits approximately 8.8 mg/kg of PM10. This begs the question. Are consumers going to pay more because greener brake alternatives are used? Will they embrace this shift?
The secretary of the Working Party on Pollution and Energy, François Cuenot, noted commonsense in this approach by emphasizing the feasibility of measuring brake emissions. He stated that it is “simpler to measure brake emissions than other types of non-exhaust emissions.” This simplicity may well open the door to more stringent regulations on other car components.
Brembo, the global leader in brake technology, is already proactively working to lower emissions. The firm worked closely with its OEM partner to create its own Greentell brake set, produced without copper, cobalt or nickel. Brembo uses a cutting-edge process known as laser metal deposition to manufacture lightweight, low-emission brake solutions. These developments will aid the automaker in meeting strict Euro 7 standards as well as attracting consumers who increasingly want to buy more sustainable cars.
That’s not the end of the potential for innovation. Research indicates that replacing traditional grey cast iron discs with carbon-ceramic composite discs can reduce PM10 emissions by an impressive 81%. As manufacturers continue to test these alternatives, they should look in the direction of a drum brake revival. Because of the design of drum brakes, they inherently have particles trapped in them as everything is kept contained within the drum.
Garage owner Kevan Gibbons has seen some drastic shifts in consumer behaviour during his 45 years in the motor trade. He remarked, “It just comes down to one word, and that’s money,” referring to the economic factors influencing consumer choices. Such a mindset highlights how much resistance consumers are likely to have to the adoption of pricier, but greener brake systems.
Artur García, an aftermarket braking engineering manager for DRiV, discussed the inking of regulations and future directions, especially in China. He is confident that China will soon introduce its own regulations to crack down on PM2.5 emissions. These microscopic particles are the most dangerous air pollutant and a serious threat to public health. As global interest and concern about air quality increases, it is only a matter of time before similar measures are passed across the globe.
Brake dust is made up of small particles of copper, black carbon, and other metals. It gets into the air when friction causes brake materials to abraded away through regular usage. This process contributes significantly to urban pollution. At the same time, the EU is moving ahead with its regulatory framework. This action stands as a monument to the great realization that we need to do something about non-exhaust emissions.
Adriana Diaz, director of our electric vehicle initiative, precinct for a greener future. She stated, “There will be resistance, but in the end people will appreciate and welcome having cleaner cities that we can enjoy.” Her view is increasingly shared by a developing world, where environmental responsibility does not have to conflict with leadership in the next generation of automotive propulsion.