Electric Vehicles 101: Understanding Health and Climate Benefits

Today, more than four in ten Americans live in places impacted by unhealthy levels of air pollution. Unsurprisingly, transportation and electricity generation are the leading contributors to unhealthy air. That is why shifting to zero-emission vehicles and electricity is a much-needed solution to the ozone and particle pollution problems that plague communities across the country. The recently released “Zeroing in on Healthy Air” report sheds light on the huge opportunity this solution presents for improving public health and addressing climate change.

The Current Pollution Problem

Experts have long understood that emissions from the transportation sector greatly contribute to ground-level ozone pollution (or smog) and particle pollution. Both are harmful to health and can even be deadly. For example, the World Health Organization classifies diesel exhaust as a carcinogen. In addition, cars and trucks emit carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases responsible for driving climate change.

“We all live near roads, we all are operating vehicles and so from the smallest town to the largest city, cleaning up the transportation that’s driving by our own front doors, by our schools, by our playgrounds will help the health of everyone,” said Paul Billings, senior vice president of public policy at the American Lung Association.

The electricity sector adds to the health burden. Extracting, processing and burning fossil fuels for electricity, like coal, oil and natural gas, emits additional dangerous pollutants and greenhouse gases. And burning other fuels instead, like biomass or trash, still produces health harms.

Breathing ozone pollution and particle pollution is unhealthy for everyone, but certain populations are more vulnerable, such as children, older adults, pregnant people and those with lung disease and other pre-existing health conditions. Where you live can also put you at higher risk. Unhealthy air increases the risk of asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes, lung cancer and premature death.