What are the main types and characteristics of electric vehicle brake pads?
Publish Time: 2025-03-10
As an important part of modern urban transportation, the safety of electric vehicles has always been the focus of consumers. As a key component of the braking system of electric vehicles, the performance of brake pads is directly related to the braking effect and driving safety of the vehicle. At present, electric vehicle brake pads are mainly divided into three categories: drum brake pads, disc brake pads and ceramic brake pads. Each type has its own unique working principle and characteristics.Drum brake pads, also known as block brake pads, have a relatively simple and intuitive working principle. It uses brake shoes to squeeze the cast iron brake block (i.e. brake drum) shaped like a tambourine, thereby generating a clamping force on the brake wheel to achieve braking or deceleration. Drum brake pads have occupied a place in the electric vehicle market with their advantages such as affordable prices, strong single braking force, and easy installation and maintenance. However, drum brake pads also have some shortcomings, such as poor braking stability, poor heat dissipation performance, and fast wear, which to a certain extent limit their service life.Disc brake pads represent an advancement in electric vehicle braking technology. The disc brake system is mainly composed of brake discs, brake calipers, master cylinders, pistons, and oil pipes. When braking, high-pressure brake fluid pushes the brake pads to clamp the brake discs, thereby achieving rapid braking of the wheels. Compared with drum brake pads, disc brake pads are better in heat dissipation and drainage performance, and are more sensitive to reaction. In addition, disc brake pads have a longer service life and are more suitable for high-frequency braking applications. However, the manufacturing cost of disc brake pads is relatively high, and the structure is more complex, which leads to an increase in its failure rate and maintenance costs. At the same time, in terms of single braking force, disc brake pads are slightly inferior to drum brake pads.In recent years, ceramic brake pads have gradually entered the electric vehicle market, bringing new options for electric vehicle braking systems. Ceramic brake pads use enhanced composite ceramic materials and efficient roller labor-saving structures, allowing drivers to synchronously control the braking of the front and rear wheels by operating only one side of the brake handle. Ceramic brake pads are known for their excellent braking force and wear resistance, which can effectively reduce the risk of skidding and tail swinging, greatly improving the driving safety of electric vehicles. However, due to its relatively high manufacturing cost, ceramic brake pads are currently mainly used in motorcycles and automobiles, and some high-end electric vehicles have also begun to adopt this technology.In summary, the main types of electric vehicle brake pads have their own advantages. Drum brake pads are favored for their affordability and strong single braking force, but the braking stability and heat dissipation performance need to be improved; disc brake pads perform better in heat dissipation, drainage performance and response sensitivity, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost are higher; ceramic brake pads are the first choice for high-end electric vehicles with their excellent braking force and wear resistance, but the high price limits their popularity. When choosing electric vehicle brake pads, consumers should make comprehensive considerations based on their own needs and budget to ensure driving safety.
