Impacts of the large-scale use of passenger electric vehicles on public health in 30 US. metropolitan areas

Abstract

In addition to sound policies at the national level, the successful implementation of zero-emission vehicle goals requires commitments and actions at the regional level. This study quantified what the potential impact would be by 2050 of large-scale use of passenger electric vehicles (EVs) on air pollution (concentrations of fine particulate matter), public health, and associated economic gains across various metropolitan areas in the United States. Results were estimated and reported for 30 metropolitan areas. The study employed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CMAQ air quality model and the BenMAP health impact assessment tool. Results indicated that a large-scale uptake in EV passenger travel can improve air quality and reduce mortality. The top five metropolitan areas that would benefit the most from such transportation electrification are Los Angeles (1163 prevented premature deaths annually, corresponding to $12.61 billion health benefits), New York (576, $6.24 billion), Chicago (276, $3.00 billion), the San Joaquin Valley (260, $2.82 billion), and Dallas (186, $2.02 billion). These results provide important scientific input to national and regional policymakers in support of decision-making towards clean transportation. This study examined the status quo and latest updates on EV transition policies across different regions given that California and several northeast states have already expressed explicit clean transportation goals. Interrelated policy, technology, and behavioral measures toward bringing down barriers to EV adoption were also examined. The wide differences that exist in the electricity mix across various regions suggests that varying strategies are needed down the road to achieve clean electric mobility.