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Lowering emissions will alter the way we drive forever

16th April 2019

It’s the silent killer, linked – certainly in part – to the top five causes of death in the UK. We’ve all experienced it in one form or another, and, for now, shows little sign of abaiting. But in the not too distant future, everything will change.

Air polution – and poor air quality – is estimated to be responsible for around 40,000 premature deaths a year in the UK. Much of the toxins we all breathe in are attributable to the exhaust fumes generated by petrol and diesel cars. Despite improvements to these fuels over the years, the problem has only grown worse.

Lowering emissions has become a priority for us all. The ongoing investigation into the recent emissions scandal has driven this need home, and contributed to a massive fall in diesel vehicle sales, further fueling the need for action. Something needs to change, and soon.

And it will. The UK government has previously announced its intention to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars from 2040. Some say this isn’t soon enough, but it’s a significant decision, and follows in the footsteps of countries like France, Norway and India, all of whom have declared this intent, economic giants China who are intending to follow suit, and Germany, hinting that they might too. This change will effect all of us.

What’s the alternative to petrol and diesel powered vehicles?

Alternative energies, such as wind and solar, will contribute towards generating the essential electricty that electric cars will run on. EVs only account for roughly 1% of vehicles on UK roads, but the numbers are growing, all be it slowly, but heading in the right direction. New registrations continue to rise. Improvements in technology, and efficiencies in manufacturing have steadily brought the cost of electric cars down, and this trend is set to continue as more and more automotive manufacturers bring out an ever increasing range of EVs. We will all ultimately have to switch to electric vehicles.

Global automotive technology company, Continental, is at the forefront of this technology. Known better by UK drivers for their award winning premium tyres, such as the PremiumContact™ 6 and AllSeasonContact™, Continental are never the less renowned throughout the car industry for their unrivalled electronic and mechanical driving technologies, many of which you’ll find in any number of cars on the road today – including for electric vehicles.

Continental are shaping the future of motoring

And it’s not just components. Continental are front and centre of the challenge to bring fully electric transport solutions to towns and cities around the globe. As more and more cities impose limits on vehicle emissions within their boundaries, the need for alternative, sustainable transport solutions will continue to grow, effecting how all of us consume transportation. Continental have many all-electric programmes in development, including their exciting BEE concept, that foresees a future where we no longer need to even own our own vehicles.

Continental’s latest commitment to championing technologies that ultimately lead to lowering emissions and improved air quality is their becoming a Founding Partner of Extreme E, the new exciting off-road electric racing series. Activities like this help to popularise the use of EVs, and will ultimately contribute to the wider take-up of electric cars.

And what of Continental’s tyres for electric vehicles? Their highly regarded Conti.eContact™ was the first ever dedicated tyre designed specifically for electric cars. Unveiled in 2012, the superb Conti.eContact™ not only harnesses and controls the additional torque available from electric engines, it also provides electric vehicle drivers with minimal rolling resistance (generating higher mileage), superior braking performance, and much lower noise emissions – essential for silent driving e-cars.

With technologies like these, and the eventual ban on future petrol and diesel powered automobiles, we’re heading in the right direction to lower emissions, and enjoying improved air quailty.