Abstract:

Non-exhaust emissions of particulate matter constitute a little-known but rising share of emissions from road traffic and have significant negative impacts on public health. This report synthesizes the current state of knowledge about the nature, causes, and consequences of non-exhaust particulate emissions. It also projects how particulate matter emissions from non-exhaust sources may evolve in future years and reflects on policy instrument mixes that can address this largely ignored environmental issue. The evidence presented herein is intended to bring attention to this important but overlooked environmental policy issue and provide preliminary insights regarding how to address them. First, it emphasizes that even electric vehicles produce non-exhaust emissions. While this observation many not alter the appeal of electric vehicles relative to conventional vehicles in terms of overall environmental performance, it nevertheless invites a reappraisal of the net social benefits that can be expected from the use of electric vehicles.