ETRMA response to EmissionsAnalytics’ driving test
The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) is committed to analyse all aspects related to unintentionally released tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) and their impact on the environment. Our members are fully engaged in building scientific knowledge on the generation and transportation of these particles and are working towards finding practical solutions for reducing their impact. It is important to remember that TRWP are an approximately 50:50 mixture of tyre tread material and road pavement material and the crucial role tyres play for sustainable mobility in terms of road safety and efficiency.
For these reasons, ETRMA welcomes EmissionsAnalytics efforts to fill knowledge gaps on TRWP. Our analysis of the tyre wear rate results of EmissionsAnalytics’ driving test found that they do not reflect normal driving conditions and go far beyond the toughest realistic driving behaviour. The test conditions used a vehicle that was fully loaded with low quality tyres. The test design incorporated high speeds and excessive cornering and underscores the unrealistic nature of the driving test and its results with an extreme driving behaviour.
The issue of tyre and road wear is complex and many factors influence the tyre tread abrasion rate. Driving behaviour, vehicle characteristics, tyre design, road topology and surface, traffic and weather can all impact particle generation. EmissionsAnalytics’ results clearly show the impact of aggressive driving behaviour as well as carrying a load that is not representative of normal circumstances. Effective solutions therefore need to consider all external factors and are only possible if we work together with all relevant stakeholders.
In July 2018, ETRMA launched the TRWP Platform. This is a multi-sectorial stakeholder roundtable that aims to create an open and inclusive dialogue among all relevant stakeholders. This will help build the scientific knowledge as well as investigate possible mitigation options for the generation and transportation of TRWP into the environment. Further, ETRMA and the Tire Industry Project (TIP), which is under the umbrella of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), are supporting important research into the presence and environmental impact of these particles.
ETRMA is open to engage with EmissionsAnalytics and all other stakeholders in the future to build robust scientific knowledge and identify practical solutions. ETRMA remains fully invested and strongly believes the complex tyre and road wear challenge demands a joint effort.
