I doubt it needs to be said that the large use of fossil fuels in vehicles is a major cause of climate change or that electric vehicles will greatly help to ease the impact. But it might need to be said that electric vehicles have some other benefits that will have a more short-term impact.
The immediate health benefits of electric vehicles
Transitioning from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) can have significant positive impacts on public health, particularly in reducing air pollution. The shift to EVs could prevent millions of childhood asthma attacks.
EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they don’t emit pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to human health. These pollutants are major contributors to respiratory issues such as asthma, especially in children whose lungs are still developing.
Electric vehicles improve air quality, reducing asthma in children
By reducing the number of gasoline and diesel vehicles on the road, the overall air quality improves. Cleaner air means fewer pollutants inhaled by children, which can reduce the incidence and severity of asthma attacks.
Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults and usually spend more time outdoors. Transitioning to EVs reduces their exposure to harmful pollutants, thereby lowering the risk of developing asthma or experiencing asthma attacks.
Fewer childhood asthma attacks mean reduced healthcare costs associated with emergency room visits, hospitalisations, and long-term management of the condition. This can lead to significant savings for healthcare systems and families alike.
The study likely used models to estimate the potential health benefits of widespread EV adoption based on factors such as emission reductions, air quality improvements, and epidemiological data on asthma prevalence and triggers. Overall, it underscores the importance of accelerating the transition to cleaner transportation technologies like EVs for both environmental and public health reasons.
The human race has received a lot of criticism over the centuries—the majority of it self-imposed—and one of the common ones is our seemingly absent ability to plan for the long-term, with climate change being the obvious and major example. And while that might be fair, I feel credit must be given to our ability to plan around that.
The economic advantages of green tech
Green technology has suffered from the unfortunate fact that its chief benefits were, at the beginning, creating a better world for future generations at the cost of our current convenience. And that has been enough for these past decades to severely hamper its development. But if we can bring attention to these kinds of benefits that will bring the kind of results buyers and investors can see and feel for, it will be more than altruism that will bring a greener world.
If it works, I think we’ll all be able to breathe a little easier.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stawie is a tech-loving young optimist, intrigued by the mysteries of what lies ahead.