Pothole damage caused by electric vehicles doubles

[New Sancai Compilation First Release] A surprising new study shows that electric vehicles cause twice as much pothole damage to roads and bridges as gasoline-powered vehicles. Before you get upset in some way, let's take a closer look at the study and what it contains.

Analysis by The Telegraph found that regular electric vehicles more than double the wear and tear on road surfaces, which in turn could increase the number of potholes. The UK is suffering from a pothole crisis, with half the number of potholes to be filled in 2023 compared to a decade ago, and the cost of filling them all is estimated at $12 billion.

Research shows that globally, electric vehicles put 2.24 times more pressure on roads than gas vehicles, potentially exacerbating the pothole crisis on all roads. The impact of large electric vehicles is even greater, potentially causing up to 2.32 times more damage to road infrastructure, the report said.

Comparing 15 popular electric cars with petrol and diesel electric cars, the average weight difference was found to be 312kg. The main reason for the increased weight of electric vehicles is the heavier batteries, since electric vehicles are heavier than gas-powered vehicles.

Scientists note that increased pressure on roads can cause the asphalt to move more, forming small cracks that can eventually develop into problematic potholes. A previous report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance estimated that the cost could mean nearly $80,000 per mile of additional costs for local roads, which would result in increased taxes and fees to cover the costs.

Double the number of potholes will be filled in 2023 compared to a decade ago, with an estimated cost of £12 billion or $15.2 million needed to fill them all. That's the cost in the UK, imagine how many more roads and highways there are in the US and the maintenance costs.

Kevin Heaslip, director of the Transportation Research Center and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Tennessee, said that electric vehicles are typically 30% heavier than gasoline-powered vehicles. The main reason is the weight of the battery, which can add hundreds of kilograms or more.

According to Kelley Blue Book; the Ford F150 gasoline-powered truck weighs 4,060 pounds, while the electric truck version weighs 6,015 pounds; the average weight of a modern gasoline-powered vehicle is 2,899 pounds, and the electric vehicle weighs 3,715 pounds; for the Volvo, the average weight of its gasoline-powered vehicle Weight is 3,726 pounds, compared with the average EV weight of 4,662 pounds.

The most optimistic forecast from the U.S. federal government is that by 2035, if the electric vehicle mandate remains in effect, electric vehicles will account for 80% of total miles driven.

Rick Green, president of the American Institute of Architects, told The Daily Telegraph: "Main roads have been designed with the axle loads of large trucks in mind." However, local roads are not designed for heavy trucks, which is why Where the greatest damage is done to the road. Experts say the spread of heavy-duty electric vehicles in smaller residential areas and on rural roads could have a bigger impact.

Another study from the University of Edinburgh found that the rollout of electric delivery trucks could increase damage to roads. Last month, a report by think tank the Center for Policy Studies raised the issue of electric vehicles causing greater damage to roads and recommended taxing vehicles based on their weight.

The US state of Iowa will impose an additional "electric fuel consumption tax" on July 1, which means that electric vehicles in the state will now pay "fuel" taxes in two different ways, while fuel vehicles only pay one - —And both taxes are higher than the taxes on ordinary fuel vehicles.

If this study is correct, and it is, your taxes will increase to pay for these repairs, no matter what car you drive. This is not necessarily a cynical tactic to turn people away from electric vehicles, but rather an acknowledgment of the inevitability of widespread adoption.

(Compiled by: Wang Jimin)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: Compiled and published by New Sancai)