Car news

The next big pollution target: car tyres

CAR TYRES PRODUCE ALMOST 2000 TIMES MORE PARTICLE POLLUTION THAN MODERN CAR EXHAUSTS, TESTS HAVE SHOWN.

Analysts say tyre particles pollute air, water, and soil, and contain a wide range of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens, suggesting tyre pollution could rapidly become a major issue for regulators.

The tests also revealed that tyres produce more than 1tn ultrafine particles for each kilometre driven, meaning particles smaller than 23 nanometres. These are also emitted from exhausts and are of special concern to health, as their size means they

can enter organs via the bloodstream. Particles below 23nm are hard to measure and are not currently regulated in either the EU or US.

“Tyres are rapidly eclipsing the tailpipe as a major source of emissions from vehicles,” said Nick Molden of Emissions Analytics, the leading independent emissions testing company that did the research. “Tailpipes are now so clean for pollutants that, if you were starting out afresh, you wouldn’t even bother regulating them.”

There are currently no regulations on the wear rate of tyres and little regulation on the chemicals they contain. “There are hundreds and hundreds of chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic,” Molden said. “When you multiply it by the total wear rates, you get some staggering figures as to what’s being released.”

Used tyres produced 36 milligrams of particles each kilometre, 1850 times higher than the 0.02 mg/km average from exhausts. A very aggressive – though legal – driving style will send particle emissions soaring, up to 5760 mg/km.

The wear rate of different tyre brands varied substantially and the toxic chemical content varied even more, he said, showing low-cost changes

were feasible to cut their environmental impact.

“You could do a lot by eliminating the most toxic tyres,” he said. “It’s not about stopping people driving, or having to invent completely different new tyres. If you could eliminate the worst half, and maybe bring them in line with the best in class, you can make a massive difference. But at the moment, there’s no regulatory tool, there’s no surveillance.”

Other recent research has suggested tyre particles are a major source of the microplastics polluting the oceans. A specific chemical used in tyres has been linked to salmon deaths in the US, and California proposed a ban this month.

“It’s early days, but this could be a big issue,” Molden said.

Milligrams of particles per kilometre of driving

New Types 73.0 Used Tyres 36.5 Exhaust (legal limit) 4.5 Exhaust (real world) 0.02 Fast charge in five

STOREDOT, A PIONEER OF EXTREME FAST CHARGING (XFC) BATTERY TECHNOLOGY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES, HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS ABILITY TO CHARGE A FULL-SCALE ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) BATTERY CELL WITH THE ENERGY FOR 160KM IN JUST FIVE MINUTES.

The presentation took place at EcoMotion Week 2022 in Israel, which brought together car makers including General Motors, Volvo, Ford, Continental, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, and Hyundai. The demonstration was a milestone on StoreDot’s ‘100inX’ strategic technology roadmap to deliver 100 (miles) in five by 2024, 100 in three by 2028, and 100 in two in by 2032.

The demonstration featured a 300x100mm pouch cell produced at EVE energy’s manufacturing plant in China. The battery was charged under a 10-minute time limit, during which the cell charged to 20Ah, exceeding the 0-80 per cent capacity target set for the demonstration.

The cell maintained a charge rate capable of adding 160km of range every five minutes of charging. At no point did the battery temperature exceed 33 degrees Celsius, well below the recommended operating temperature set by StoreDot’s engineers, and all critical parameters of the cell performed at an optimum level.

Is this the beginning of the end for brakes?

PARISIAN LUXURY CARMAKER DS AUTOMOBILES HAS DEVELOPED A PROTOTYPE ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT USES ONLY ELECTRIC MOTOR REGENERATION INSTEAD OF CONVENTIONAL BRAKES — SHOWCASING A POTENTIAL FUTURE ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES. USING TECHNOLOGY FROM THE BRAND’S FORMULA E RACE CAR, THE DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE USES TWO ONBOARD ELECTRIC MOTORS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE ENTIRELY THROUGH REGENERATIVE BRAKING, UP TO 600KW.

Though regenerative braking is already available in most electric vehicles, conventional friction brakes are still there when you need them. DS is exploring whether regenerative braking alone could work, helping to better recharge the battery in the process, and doing away with conventional brake discs and pads.

Beatrice Foucher, DS Automobiles CEO, said: “Formula E is about maximising performance and efficiency, and the DS E-Tense Performance is our vision of a road car utilising our racewinning technology. Regenerative braking is a very powerful way to not only slow the vehicle down, but also help improve battery performance. The DS E-Tense Performance takes the technology to a new level, with regenerative braking used solely to slow the vehicle down.”

Airless tyres still coming

THE PICTURES HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN A DECADE — TYRES WITH NO SIDEWALL, NO BALLOON OF AIR BUT SOME ARRANGEMENT OF FLEXIBLE SPOKES BETWEEN RIM AND TREAD — AND NOW THE RUMOUR MILL IS SUGGESTING AT LEAST ONE MANUFACTURER IS CLOSE TO LAUNCHING A PRODUCTION MODEL OF AN AIRLESS TYRE.

Goodyear’s senior program manager for non-pneumatic tyres (NPTs) Michael Rachita is upfront about the limitations: “There will be noise, and some vibration. We’re still learning how to soften the ride. But we think you’ll be surprised by the performance.”

Electric cars and autonomous mobility are changing tyre needs. Delivery firms and shuttle services want products that are low-maintenance, puncture-proof, recyclable, and have sensors that map road conditions. A car with a flat tyre is a car not making money.

Mr Rachita says: “While air-filled tyres will always have their place, a mixture of solutions is needed. As we move into a world where autonomous vehicles are becoming more common and many cities are offering transport-as-a-service strategies, having a maintenance-free tyre is hugely important.”

At Goodyear’s labs, the tyres are tested for 24 hours at a time, under different loads and speeds. That’s thousands of miles non-stop. Some spokes deform, some break, but the structures continue to perform safely, Mr Rachita says. “It’s test-learn, testlearn,” he says. “But we’re at a stage that’s given us a huge amount of confidence. This is the real deal.”

Heavy battery weight means airless structures are particularly suited to electric vehicles. “You can carry more load with a more compliant feel than in an air tyre,” Mr Rachita says.

Goodyear rival Michelin has been working with General Motors (GM) on airless tyres since 2019. In February, there were media reports that Michelin’s Unique Puncture-proof Tire System (Uptis) could debut on a new Chevrolet Bolt electric car being planned by GM, possibly as early as 2024.

Uptis tyres are made of high-strength resin, embedded with fibreglass, and composite rubber (for which Michelin has filed 50 patents) to create a mesh structure that surrounds an aluminium wheel.

Michelin has been a market leader in airless wheels. Its Tweel (tyre-wheel) has been around since 2005 and is used on slow-moving vehicles, such as farm equipment.

Bridgestone, the world’s largest tyre maker, is also interested in industrial applications in farming, mining, and construction where punctures cost a loss of productivity.

Hankook company unveiled the latest version of its i-Flex NPT in January, and also sees NPTs as being of particular interest to the military, disaster response, security vehicles, and specialist machinery.

Optimising the technology for road vehicles is a different challenge. Tyremakers have more than a century of experience and knowledge in pneumatic tyres. Airless technology is very recent.

Governments will also demand rigorous safety tests and a standardisation of rules, and tyre makers would need to invest heavily in new manufacturing facilities and develop supply chains. It will take years for any kind of wholesale change to take place, but the ability for regular re-treading and 3D printing could be a game changer. Some experts speculate consumers won’t even need to buy tyres outright. Instead, they’ll get them free and pay per mile, with sensors monitoring usage.

Cost of living driving change

THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS AFFECTING THE VAST MAJORITY OF DRIVERS’ MOTORING HABITS, WITH A SURVEY OF 2000 DRIVERS SHOWING THAT SEVEN IN 10 MOTORISTS HAVE CHANGED THEIR BEHAVIOUR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

The research for UK automotive servicing and repair company Kwik Fit shows that in 2022 over one third (35 per cent) of drivers have cut down on car journeys they describe as “non-essential”. Those driving petrol or diesel cars are twice as likely to have cut down on these journeys compared to drivers of electric vehicles (EVs), or hybrids (40 per cent vs 22 per cent respectively).

The cost of living crisis has also prompted many drivers to reappraise their driving styles. More than one in five drivers (21 per cent) say they have consciously tried to drive more smoothly or less aggressively, 14 per cent say they have driven more slowly on all their journeys, with 17 per cent saying they have done so on some journeys. Despite the average low-emission car (EV or hybrid) being less costly to run, drivers of these vehicles are more likely to have decreased their speed than those driving petrol or diesel engine cars.

The Kwik Fit research found that 17 per cent of drivers of EVs or hybrids have swapped from a diesel or petrol car this year as a direct result of the cost of living crisis. Some car owners have made an even more dramatic switch. Four per cent of drivers say they have sold their car this year and not replaced it. The research findings highlight that the impact of rising costs is not uniform across different groups — drivers under 35 are a staggering eight times more likely to have sold their car and not replaced it than drivers over 55.

One in 10 London drivers say they have sold their car and not replaced it. This may be due to the availability of public transport options as an alternative to private car journeys, as 14 per cent of drivers in the capital say they have made more of their essential journeys by public transport or have car shared.

Although the government may be keen to reverse the home working revolution caused by the pandemic and get people back to the office, Kwik Fit’s research shows that the cost of living crisis may not help with their aim. Since January, 11 per cent of drivers say that they have been working from home even more often to save money on driving costs.

The increasing cost of motoring has prompted some drivers to take up good motoring maintenance habits. One in 10 drivers (10 per cent) say they have started regularly checking their tyre pressure. A slightly higher proportion (11 per cent) have emptied their car boot of any heavy items, 3 per cent of drivers say they have removed roof racks, bars, or bike racks which they normally keep permanently on their car (8 per cent of drivers under 35 say they have done this).

In 2021 car traffic returned towards the same levels as the equivalent days before the pandemic and by June 2021 was regularly exceeding those figures. However, since January 2022, daily car usage has exceeded the equivalent pre-pandemic volume on only five occasions.

‘Fan car’ returns to the track

PRIVATEER MCMURTRY AUTOMOTIVE AIMS TO TAKE THE GOODWOOD HILL CLIMB RECORD WITH A UNIQUE CAR USING A FAN TO ADD 2000KG OF DOWNFORCE, GIVING THE CAR ACCELERATION OF 1.5 SECONDS 0-100KPH.

In 2016, entrepreneur Sir David McMurtry tasked a team of former Formula 1 engineers to design and build the ultimateww high-performance car. The result, the McMurtry Spéirling, was revealed to the public at Goodwood in 2021. Twelve months, later the team returns with aspirations to challenge the outright record.

The Spéirling is a ‘clean sheet’ design. The result is a fully-electric, compact vehicle designed around the twin goals of driver engagement and vehicle performance showcasing McMurtry Automotive as EV innovators for road and track cars.

The Spéirling’s unique feature is its fan producing more than double its own weight in downforce which, unlike conventional vehicles, is available at all speeds, as it does not rely on airflow over the car. It generates more downforce than a Formula 1 car at speeds up to 150mph, with significantly less drag.

The instant downforce allows the instant torque from the drive motors to be fully deployed — the result is 0-60mph in under 1.5 seconds, and a top speed of 150mph (which is capped due to hillclimb gearbox selection).

The last time a fan car competed in motorsport was when Niki Lauda won the Swedish F1 GP in 1978 with the Brabham BT46B. It was subsequently withdrawn from future races due to its projected dominance to maintain harmony with other teams in the world championship.

The Goodwood Hill record is currently held by the Volkswagen ID.R which beat the mark set by a McLaren Formula 1 car.

Driving the McMurtry will be Le Mans and IndyCar driver Max Chilton and British hillclimb championship leader Alex Summers.

Says Chilton: “Having previously enjoyed demonstration runs in an F1 car at Goodwood Festival of Speed this year, I’m looking forward to making my competitive hillclimb debut. The challenge now is to translate confidence and speed from testing on conventional circuits onto Goodwood’s tight, undulating hillclimb course. We will have limited practice runs and an audience of hundreds of thousands, so it’s a demanding yet great opportunity to show the current pace of this car on the world stage.”

Powering the fully-electric car, the 60 kWh battery pack within the Spéirling is designed and built by McMurtry Automotive using cutting edge Molicel cells. The two companies’ strategic technical partnership gives the Spéirling a distinct advantage for power density, delivering impressive acceleration, and for energy density, contributing to over 30 minutes of track running range.

Towing being overlooked in the rush to electric

THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO USE THEIR CARS TO TOW ARE BEING OVERLOOKED IN THE RUSH TO GO ELECTRIC.

As part of the judging process for the What Car? Tow Car Awards 2022, eight of the latest electric cars were range tested with and without a caravan.

While towing a caravan weighted to 85 per cent of the car’s kerb weight (the maximum recommended), the best performer managed only 113 miles, and the worst just 78.1 miles. The average drop in range compared to a similar car without a caravan was 54.6 per cent.

By comparison, the drop in the fuel economy in a petrol or diesel car when towing was a third, making more stops a necessity for electric tow cars.

On top of that the big issue for electric towing is that recharging on the move is likely to be much more complicated. Most charging services won’t allow caravaners to charge without first unhitching. What’s more, one-way systems at motorway services could make it impossible to get back to the tow parking area.

Electric car ranges have improved massively over the past decade, but towing is always going to reduce how far they can go on a charge. At the moment caravaners’ needs are not being considered, even though the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK is just eight years away.

Audi Q5 awarded best caravan tow car

THE AUDI Q5 40 TDI QUATTRO DIESEL WAS NAMED THE BEST CAR FOR TOWING IN 2022 AT THE ANNUAL WHAT CAR? MAGAZINE’S TOW CAR AWARDS, HELD IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UK’S CAMPING AND CARAVANNING CLUB.

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “Stability has to be the number one priority when towing, and the Q5 is as solid and secure as they come. However, it also offers a fantastic blend of performance and practicality, and is cleaner and more efficient than traditional diesel models, thanks to mild-hybrid electric assistance.”

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Ian Hewlett, a tester judge on the programme, added: “This year’s field was packed with great tow cars, but everyone on the judging panel agreed that the Audi Q5 was the best all-rounder.”

In addition to taking the top prize, Audi won the 1700-1899kg weight category with the Q5.

Two other manufacturers also took home a brace of awards: Kia won the 1900kg+ category with the Sorento 2.2 CRDi, and best electric tow car with the EV6 77.4kWh AWD, while Skoda won the up to 1400kg and 1550-1699kg weight categories with the Scala 1.0 TSI and Karoq 2.0 TDI Evo 150 4x4 DSG respectively. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ new Multivan was named Most Practical Tow Car.

Judges praised the Volkswagen Multivan for its strong towing capabilities and stable driving experience, even though the petrol engine isn’t an obvious choice for towing (there are also diesels and hybrids). The vehicle was additionally commended for practicality and flexibility, particularly highlighting the spacious interior and the flexible passenger seating.

It may look more like a campervan than a tow car, but it offers strong performance, Hungerford said. “Most big 4x4s are more at home pulling away uphill, but few can match the practicality and flexibility offered by the Multivan.”

Reliable winter batteries by KOBA

PLUMMETING TEMPERATURES ACROSS NEW ZEALAND ARE PUTTING INCREASED PRESSURE ON VEHICLE BATTERIES. A BATTERY USES A CHEMICAL REACTION TO STORE AND DELIVER ENERGY AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS, THE CHEMICAL REACTION SLOWS DOWN, REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF POWER A BATTERY CAN DELIVER, WHICH IS THE MAIN REASON WHY BATTERIES FAIL AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

It’s worth noting this effect also applies to batteries usually in storage, such as those in boats or ride-on lawn mowers. The ability of a battery to withstand and perform in extreme temperatures, both low and high, conveys a great deal about its quality and reliability. Long-lasting KOBA batteries offer a maximum return on investment and value out of a battery.

Over more than a decade, KOBA has gained a strong reputation in New Zealand for quality batteries. They are manufactured in one of the most experienced calcium battery facilities in South Korea. South Korea is well regarded for its advanced manufacturing capabilities due to its highly skilled workforce, world-class infrastructure, and technology, resulting in industry leading research and development, and advanced product quality.

KOBA maintenance-free calcium batteries are available in sizes to suit most automotive and commercial vehicles. These batteries are designed to provide safe, reliable starting power with improved durability and cycle life. Their low-resistance envelope separators maximise electrical performance. The quality, durability, and safety of these batteries make them an ideal choice for everyday automotive and commercial use.

KOBA Batteries’ range of Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) are designed to meet the evolving needs of modern vehicles. KOBA’s AGM battery range has an even higher durability and cycle life than the calcium battery range. These batteries have high charge acceptance and are able to deliver superior starting power, which is critical in ‘stop-start’ vehicles. Due to their compressed internal construction, AGM batteries also have a much higher resistance to vibration than flooded batteries.

The EFB range from KOBA Batteries is designed to deliver the power required for stop-start vehicles. These EFB batteries are designed to deliver two to three times the battery life of standard calcium batteries in an ISS application, and have very high charge acceptance to take advantage of the high power charging systems in vehicles designed to save fuel.

KOBA Batteries are exclusively distributed by R&J Batteries in New Zealand. R&J Batteries is one of the leading battery distributors in New Zealand with branches in Wiri, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Albany. Stockists throughout the North and South Islands make KOBA Batteries accessible to all.

For more about KOBA Batteries, see rjbatt.co.nz, or call 0800 546 000.

BATTERIES FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS

• Low resistance envelope separators • Maintenance Free design for years of trouble free service • Integrated flame arrestors for increased safety • Strong, dependable starting power