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Air quality, health and equity implications of electrifying heavy-duty vehicles

Author

Listed:
  • Sara F. Camilleri

    (Northwestern University)

  • Anastasia Montgomery

    (Northwestern University)

  • Maxime A. Visa

    (Northwestern University)

  • Jordan L. Schnell

    (Northwestern University
    Northwestern University
    University of Colorado
    NOAA/Global Systems Laboratory)

  • Zachariah E. Adelman

    (Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium)

  • Mark Janssen

    (Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium)

  • Emily A. Grubert

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Susan C. Anenberg

    (George Washington University)

  • Daniel E. Horton

    (Northwestern University
    Northwestern University)

Abstract

Heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) disproportionately contribute to the creation of air pollutants and emission of greenhouse gases—with marginalized populations unequally burdened by the impacts of each. Shifting to non-emitting technologies, such as electric HDVs (eHDVs), is underway; however, the associated air quality and health implications have not been resolved at equity-relevant scales. Here we use a neighbourhood-scale (~1 km) air quality model to evaluate air pollution, public health and equity implications of a 30% transition of predominantly diesel HDVs to eHDVs over the region surrounding North America’s largest freight hub, Chicago, IL. We find decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations but ozone (O3) increases, particularly in urban settings. Over our simulation domain NO2 and PM2.5 reductions translate to ~590 (95% confidence interval (CI) 150–900) and ~70 (95% CI 20–110) avoided premature deaths per year, respectively, while O3 increases add ~50 (95% CI 30–110) deaths per year. The largest pollutant and health benefits simulated are within communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents, highlighting the potential for eHDVs to reduce disproportionate and unjust air pollution and associated air-pollution attributable health burdens within historically marginalized populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara F. Camilleri & Anastasia Montgomery & Maxime A. Visa & Jordan L. Schnell & Zachariah E. Adelman & Mark Janssen & Emily A. Grubert & Susan C. Anenberg & Daniel E. Horton, 2023. "Air quality, health and equity implications of electrifying heavy-duty vehicles," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(12), pages 1643-1653, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:6:y:2023:i:12:d:10.1038_s41893-023-01219-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01219-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kevin Rennert & Frank Errickson & Brian C. Prest & Lisa Rennels & Richard G. Newell & William Pizer & Cora Kingdon & Jordan Wingenroth & Roger Cooke & Bryan Parthum & David Smith & Kevin Cromar & Dela, 2022. "Comprehensive evidence implies a higher social cost of CO2," Nature, Nature, vol. 610(7933), pages 687-692, October.
    2. Stephen P. Holland & Erin T. Mansur & Nicholas Z. Muller & Andrew J. Yates, 2016. "Are There Environmental Benefits from Driving Electric Vehicles? The Importance of Local Factors," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(12), pages 3700-3729, December.
    3. Mingwei Li & Da Zhang & Chiao-Ting Li & Kathleen M. Mulvaney & Noelle E. Selin & Valerie J. Karplus, 2018. "Air quality co-benefits of carbon pricing in China," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(5), pages 398-403, May.
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    Cited by:

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