In a nutshellThe Driving to Clean Air: Health Benefits of Zero-Emission Cars and Electricity report states that by 2050, there could be 89,300 fewer premature deaths and 2.2 million fewer asthma attacks, resulting in 10.7 million fewer lost workdays. However, achieving these health benefits would also require a transition to clean noncombustion electricity sources such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and nuclear power. Big pictureTransportation, identified as the leading source of air pollution and carbon emissions, poses a grave threat to public health, particularly impacting low-income communities and communities of color. The shift to zero-emission vehicles necessitates upfront investments, but the health benefits are expected to outweigh the costs. Efforts by the auto industry, the federal government, and Congress, including stricter emissions standards and incentives for electric vehicles, are crucial steps toward accelerating the transition.

Source: The Guardian June 07, 2023 18:42 UTC