Key information
Request reference number: MGLA130923-6291
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
I note you need to ban cars and vans, yet what you have not dealt is the biggest cause of pollution and ill health that is dust from tyres, brake dust and particles, from electric vehicles as well. Not only do they go into the air, lungs, mouth, nose, but into water.
- Do you know how many tyres Amazon go through each year?
- How many brake pads are gone through each year?
- Batteries have chemicals and are produced at considerable costs. Do you know how much it costs for each car battery to be manufactured?
Our response
I can confirm that the GLA does not hold this information.
Tyre and brake wear is identified as a significant source of particulate matter emissions in
London in the Mayor’s London Environment Strategy (LES) published in 2018. The strategy notes that by 2030 an estimated 90 per cent of particulate emissions from road transport will be from tyre and brake wear.
The LES notes that reducing emissions from these sources will require a reduction in total vehicle kilometres by supporting a shift to walking, cycling and public transport.
This is aligned with the Mayor’s aim, as set out in his Transport Strategy, for 80 per cent of all journeys to be taken by these modes by 2041.
The Mayor’s preferred pathway to a net zero carbon London, published in January 2022, sets out the need for a 27 per cent reduction in car vehicle kilometres travelled by 2030, which will help address particulate emissions from tyre and brake wear.
As set out in the LES, particulate matter is not the only pollutant of concern in London, and the Mayor’s air quality policies also seek to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) due to its impact on human health. The ULEZ has been shown to be highly effective in reducing levels of this pollutant, with additional positive impacts on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels.
Regarding electric vehicles (EVs), as Chair of C40, the Mayor has launched a set of EV ethics and sustainability workshops, with the ambition for this group to continue to work together to develop strategies for EV ethics and sustainability at the city level, support the improvement of EV supply chains, and share best practice.
In addition to this strategic work with C40, the GLA is participating in a programme to
practically audit and improve working conditions in the GLA Group’s EV supply chain. This is a commitment in the GLA Group Responsible Procurement Implementation Plan.
Led by Dutch NGO ‘Electronics Watch’ and supported by several global cities including London, the programme will map the supply chains of minerals in EV electronics and batteries – including those of the GLA Group. Based on this information, Electronics Watch will then work on the ground to improve labour rights for workers in mines and factories in several countries, in partnership with local businesses and trade unions.
If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting
reference MGLA130923-6291.