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

This study uses a neighborhood-scale air quality model to assess the air pollution, public health, and equity implications of a 30% transition of diesel heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) to electric HDVs (eHDVs) in the Chicago area. The findings show decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations, but ozone (O3) increases, particularly in urban areas. NO2 and PM2.5 reductions translate to avoided premature deaths, while O3 increases add deaths. The largest pollution and health benefits were observed in communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents, highlighting the potential for eHDVs to reduce disproportionate air pollution burdens in marginalized populations.

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