Unexpected research on electric vehicles.

Satellite data from California shows that the increase in electric vehicles is making a noticeable difference by helping to reduce air pollution even in residential areas.

Electric vehicles have been shown to help reduce air pollution. Photo: Bloomberg .

Electric vehicles are proving to be a crucial solution in efforts to reduce environmental pollution and protect public health. A new study in California shows that even a small increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road can have a noticeable positive impact on air quality at the neighborhood level.

The argument for the health benefits of electric vehicles has long been made, with the idea that the more electric vehicles there are, the fewer internal combustion engine vehicles on the road, meaning a reduction in harmful emissions. However, this study is considered one of the largest-scale, real-world examples confirming this is happening in practice.

Published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal in February, the research team used satellite data to measure actual emissions instead of relying solely on modeling as in previous studies. The study, conducted from 2019 to 2023, focused on California, which has the highest rate of electric vehicle use in the United States.

Scientists are monitoring nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a pollutant produced from the combustion of fossil fuels. Exposure to NO2 can cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems and even increase the risk of premature death.

Across nearly 1,700 postal area codes, the analysis showed that for every 200 additional electric vehicles, the average NO2 level decreased by approximately 1.1%. According to Sandrah Eckel, a professor of public health at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and the lead author of the study, even a small change at the local level can lead to a significant reduction in air pollution.

Previously, the team had attempted to establish this connection using monitoring equipment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; however, due to the limited number of monitoring stations and the scarcity of electric vehicles at that time, the results were not statistically significant. Thanks to satellites, this data covers almost the entire state and provides clearer conclusions.

The potential of electric vehicles in the future remains enormous. Photo: Bloomberg .

Ms. Eckel stated that the research underscores the importance of promoting electric vehicles equitably. Low-income communities, heavily impacted by traffic pollution, often lack access to electric vehicles due to high costs. She expects this data to provide policymakers with clearer guidance during the transition process.

Another noteworthy point is that during the study period, the average increase in electric vehicles reached 272 units per postal code, indicating that there is still significant room for improvement in air quality in the future.

Source: https://znews.vn/nghien-cuu-bat-ngo-ve-xe-dien-post1626108.html