Electric vehicle adoption helping reduce air pollution: report

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu):The growing use of electric vehicles (EVs) is leading to improved air quality in areas around California in the United States, according to a report released on Monday. The study was conducted by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC).

Using high-resolution satellite data, the research team recorded a significant decline in nitrogen dioxide pollution directly linked to zero-emission vehicles. The findings provide statistical evidence that clean transportation is already delivering real and measurable benefits.

Published in The Lancet Planetary Health, the study analyzed changes in air pollution levels between 2019 and 2023, a period during which more Californians shifted toward zero-emission vehicles, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

Researchers found that for every 200 electric vehicles added in a local area, nitrogen dioxide levels dropped by about 1.1 percent. Nitrogen dioxide is a harmful pollutant mainly produced by burning fossil fuels and is linked to diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, and stroke.

While electric vehicles are often promoted as a long-term solution to tackle climate change, this research shows that they are also improving air quality in the short term. Senior author Dr. Erica Garcia said the findings are important because air pollution has almost immediate effects on human health.

Traffic-related pollution can damage the lungs and heart over both short and long periods. Therefore, reducing such pollution has a major impact on community well-being. Lead author Dr. Sandra Eckel added that although electric vehicles still make up a small share of all cars in California, their positive impact is already measurable.