Fine dust from electric cars: UCLA study reveals increased levels at charging stations during fast charging

While electric vehicles do not produce exhaust fumes, tires and brakes do produce emissions in the form of particulate matter. A new UCLA study, published on UCLA Newsroom, shows that fast-charging stations are short-term pollution hotspots.

Measurements at DC charging stations

At 50 DC fast-charging stations tested in Los Angeles, PM2.5 levels ranged from 7.3 to 39 μg/m³, twice as high as city levels (3.6–12.4 μg/m³). Peak levels reached 200 μg/m³, while gas stations and busy streets had significantly lower levels.

Cause: Fans in electrical cabinets

According to UCLA, the study found that the fans in the electrical cabinets that convert the alternating current to direct current for DC chargers stir up dust particles. Analyses of the particles revealed high concentrations of barium, copper, and zinc, typical of brake and tire wear. Other sources such as diesel engines were ruled out.

Protective measures

Researcher Yifang Zhu from the UCLA research team advises staying in the vehicle during fast charging and using the air conditioning or keeping your distance. In the long term, air filters in the electrical cabinets could significantly reduce exposure. The expert stresses that "there is no safe level of fine dust when it comes to inhalation".