A study from the University of Toronto’s Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering has revealed that the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles could lead to significant public health benefits.
According to the research, aggressive electric vehicle adoption in the US, paired with a substantial increase in renewable energy, could result in health-related savings worth between $84bn and $188bn by 2050.
Professor Marianne Hatzopoulou, one of the co-authors of the study, explained: “When researchers examine the impacts of EVs, they typically focus on climate change in the form of mitigating CO2 emissions.
“But CO2 is not the only thing that comes out of the tailpipe of an internal combustion vehicle. They produce many air pollutants that have a significant, quantifiable impact on public health.
“Furthermore, evidence shows that those impacts are disproportionately felt by populations that are low-income, racialised or marginalised.”
Health benefits of EV adoption and clean energy
The research team, which includes postdoctoral fellow Jean Schmitt and Professors Daniel Posen and Heather Maclean, focused on the health impacts of EV adoption by modelling the reduction in air pollution.
Their analysis included pollutants commonly produced by fossil fuel combustion, such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulate matter (PM2.5). These harmful emissions contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, which are major public health concerns.
The team’s findings reveal that, as more vehicles become electric, air pollution from internal combustion engines would decline, leading to fewer pollution-related health issues.
However, the researchers emphasise that these health benefits will only materialise if the electric grid continues to transition toward low-emission and renewable energy sources.
The role of the energy grid
While electric vehicles do not produce tailpipe emissions, they still indirectly contribute to pollution if they are powered by electricity generated from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.
The study highlights that cleaner energy production is essential to maximise the health benefits of EV adoption. Without a greener grid, pollution could simply shift from highways to areas near fossil-fuel power plants.
Comparing scenarios: EV adoption and grid decarbonisation
The researchers simulated two main scenarios to assess the impact of EV adoption by 2050. In the first scenario, no further EVs are adopted, but internal combustion vehicles are gradually replaced by newer, more efficient models.
In the second, all new vehicles sold by 2035 are electric, a target that aligns with many countries’ plans, including Canada’s.
In both scenarios, the team also modelled different rates of grid decarbonisation. The findings showed that even under less aggressive grid decarbonisation scenarios, significant health benefits from reduced air pollution could still be achieved.
However, the best outcomes—both for public health and the economy—require a strong commitment to renewable energy alongside electric vehicle adoption.
A broader approach needed for climate goals
While the study points to substantial health benefits from EV adoption, the research team cautions that it is not a standalone solution to climate change.
The researchers recommend that EV adoption be paired with other strategies, such as investments in public transportation, active transportation like cycling and walking, and higher housing density to reduce overall vehicle dependency.
The team’s prior work has shown that while EVs contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they alone are not enough to meet the ambitious targets set by the Paris Agreement.
A comprehensive approach to transportation and urban planning is necessary for achieving broader climate goals.
A road toward cleaner air and improved health
The study underscores the importance of advancing electric vehicle adoption in parallel with efforts to clean up the energy grid.
By doing so, society can reap significant public health benefits while also reducing the economic burden associated with air pollution. As EV adoption increases globally, the study serves as a reminder that this shift is not only a climate imperative but also a critical public health strategy.
