Growing EV adoption could compound scrap tire dilemma

WASHINGTON—The steadily increasing adoption of electric vehicles is creating environmental challenges, including more scrap tires.

That's one conclusion reached by the Recycled Rubber Coalition (RRC), which noted in a recent White Paper that EVs are 20-percent heavier than equivalent hydrocarbon-powered vehicles.

This, along with the near-instantaneous generation of maximum torque, increases friction-force on the tire rubber, leading to higher levels of tire wear and waste.

As a result, the RRC estimated that as drivers transition to EVs, the U.S. will produce more than 350 million scrap tires annually by 2030, up from roughly 300 million—more than 6 billion pounds—generated annually now in the U.S.

"Without proper reuse, those tires could end up in junkyards and landfills, creating environmental and public health hazards," the RRC said.

Describing tires as "the perfect material for a circular economy," the report highlighted how tires can be recycled into rubber-modified asphalt, crumb rubber infill or poured-in-place playground surfaces.

"Rubber recyclers and end-market users are critical to finding a secondary life for those millions of tires," RRC said.

Recovery, recycling and secondary usage keeps more than 220 million tires out of landfills each year, with an economic impact of $2.47 billion, the RCC estimated.

Supported by the Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the RRC includes organizations and companies involved in rubber recycling and the manufacture of recycled rubber products.

In the White Paper, the RRC called for all 50 states to implement fees on new tires, which are critical for efforts to reduce illegal tire dumping and encourage higher-end uses for recycled rubber. It also urges federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to prioritize grants for expanding uses of recycled rubber.