Move to electric vehicles could save nearly 90,000 lives in US by 2050, study says

A new report from the American Lung Association that reveals that if gas-guzzling vehicles were replaced by zero-emissions vehicles like electric cars, trucks, and SUVs in the US by 2035, the nation could witness a significant reduction in premature deaths, reports Jen Christensen for CNN.

In a nutshell

The 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.

Key quote

“This transition to zero-emission technologies is critical as a whole but especially critical in making sure that we’re targeting policies and investments and incentive programs so that all communities can take advantage of these health benefits and more healthier transportation choices,” report author William Barrett said.

Big picture

Transportation, 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.

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