Switch to electric vehicles in Virginia would dramatically decrease deaths: American Lung Association
RICHMOND – A nationwide transition to clean, zero-emission vehicles would have a dramatic impact on the air quality and health of Virginia residents, according to a new report by the American Lung Association.
The “Zeroing in on Healthy Air” report, released March 30, reveals that a widespread transition to vehicles powered by clean electricity generation would result in up to 2,700 avoided deaths and $29.7 billion in public health benefits in Virginia.
The Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA metro area was ranked sixth in the top 25 metro areas that would benefit the most from the transition, according to the report.
Zeroing in on Healthy Air outlines the broad benefits of the transition to a zero-emission transportation sector over the coming decades. The report illustrates the potential health and climate benefits if all new passenger vehicles sold are zero-emission by 2035 and all new trucks and buses sold are zero-emission by 2040. The report projects that the nation’s electric grid will be powered by clean, non-combustion electricity replacing fossil fuels by 2035.
Nationally, a widespread transition to electric vehicles powered by clean electricity would generate more than $1.2 trillion in health benefits and $1.7 trillion in additional climate benefits by 2050.
According to the American Lung Association's report, in Virginia, the transition would generate $29.7 billion in public health benefits and result in up to:
2,700 avoided deaths
70,900 avoided asthma attacks
350,000 avoided lost workdays
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“The transportation sector is a leading contributor to air pollution and climate change,” said Aleks Casper, Director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association. “Thankfully, the technologies and systems are in place to make these benefits a reality, especially in communities most impacted by harmful pollution today. We need our state leaders to act to implement equitable policies and invest in the transition to healthy air today. This is an urgent health issue for millions of people in the U.S.”
Poor air quality caused by transportation and electricity generation contributes to a wide range of negative health impacts, including childhood asthma attacks, impaired lung function and development, lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes and premature deaths.
These are sources of health disparities in lower-income communities and communities of color, both in terms of exposure to harmful air and the associated health consequences.
"Achieving these major benefits to our health and our climate will require dedicated and sustained leadership," said the American Lung Association. "Investment at all levels of government, and public education and engagement will ensure the transition to zero-emission vehicles provides clean air for everyone."
For more information, visit Lung.org/EV.
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— Reach Reporter Monique Calello (she/her) at mcalello@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @moniquecalello.
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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Electric vehicles: health and climate benefits in Virginia
