Key Takeaways
1. Increasing electric vehicles (EVs) can reduce childhood asthma cases linked to vehicle emissions.
2. For every 1,000 new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles sold, a new childhood asthma case is recorded.
3. Replacing 21% of new fossil-fueled vehicles with EVs could stop the rise in asthma rates.
4. The needed replacement percentages of ICE vehicles vary by state, from 7% to 42%, based on population and vehicle age.
5. EVs are already improving public health in states with zero-emission vehicle initiatives, but affordability for lower-income families is crucial.
A US research has discovered that increasing the number of electric vehicles on the streets can lower the chances of childhood asthma. The findings came after looking at data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gathered between 2013 and 2019.
New Case Rates
Harshit Gujrat, Meredith Franklin, and Steve Easterbrook observed that for every 1,000 new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles sold, a new childhood asthma case was recorded. They stated that just replacing 21 percent of new fossil-fueled vehicles with EVs could be “enough to stop the rise in asthma rates linked to new vehicle sales.”
State-by-State Analysis
The report highlights that the replacement percentages differ across states. Depending on how many people live there and how many vehicles are already on the road, some states might only need to replace 7 percent of their new ICE cars, while others could need up to 42 percent. This shows that densely populated states with older gas vehicles will gain the most from switching to electric cars.
Public Health Benefits
At the same time, the research indicates that EVs are already benefiting public health in the US. States that have zero-emission vehicle initiatives are seeing the bulk of these health improvements.
The study urges that lawmakers should find methods to make EVs more affordable for lower-income families. Nonetheless, it warns that electric cars aren’t the only way to enhance children’s health.
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