How does the accumulated brake dust not affect braking performance? And can it tolerate getting wet inside, or is it somehow sealed well enough to go through puddles without getting wet?
I suppose one could build an all-wheel-drive EV that only uses mechanical brakes during emergency maneuvers.
As the link states, they also increase efficiency, and that allows for smaller batteries, less weight. They're also looking into lighter weight aluminium disc brakes because EVs use them less, and it prevents issues with low usage disc brakes rusting.
This is because of regenerative braking not using the brake pads, using the motor instead.
Maybe dust in the drum isn’t a problem? Or maybe it’s designed so the dust accumulates somewhere other than on the friction surface inside the drum?