A new report indicates that a full transition to electric vehicles is expected to reduce outdoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations by 61% in the United States and up to 80% in China. Researchers from the University of Southern California stated that the new findings "show that clean air is not just a theory, but it is actually happening in local communities across California." These vehicles include battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The researchers then obtained data from a high-precision satellite sensor that monitors nitrogen dioxide levels by measuring how the gas absorbs and reflects sunlight. Researchers who studied satellite data from the American state of California found that neighborhoods with a higher number of electric vehicles saw a decrease in air pollution from fossil fuel burning. Conversely, satellite data also confirmed that neighborhoods where the number of fuel-powered cars increased saw a rise in pollution. The researchers said they plan to compare data on the use of zero-emission vehicles with the number of emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma treatment across California. The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump favored fuel-powered vehicles and eliminated tax incentives aimed at encouraging the use of electric cars. "We haven't even gotten to the stage of full adoption of electric vehicles yet, but our research shows that the shift of Californians to electric vehicles is already making a measurable difference in the air we breathe," said study lead Sandra E. Eckel from the University of Southern California. Researchers reported in the journal The Planetary Health that for every 200 zero-emission vehicles added to California neighborhoods between 2019 and 2023, nitrogen dioxide levels decreased by 1.1%. This polluting gas, which is emitted from burning fossil fuels, can lead to asthma attacks, bronchitis, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. To conduct the analysis, the researchers divided California into 1,692 neighborhoods and obtained publicly available data from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles on the number of light-duty, zero-emission vehicles registered in each neighborhood.
