Replacing Combustion-Engine Vehicles in Chicago with Electric Models Could Save 1,000 Lives and $10B, Northwestern Study Finds
A recent study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University has found that replacing 30% of combustion-engine vehicles in Chicago with electric models could have significant positive impacts on both public health and the economy. The study, which focused on various types of vehicles including motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, buses, and refuse trucks, revealed that such a transition could save over 1,000 lives annually and generate savings of more than $10 billion.
One noteworthy finding from the study is that areas with predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Latinx residents would benefit the most from the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The study highlights the potential of EVs to not only improve air quality and combat climate change but also to address long-standing inequities in air quality that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
Contrary to a common misconception, the study found that emission reductions from on-road vehicles outweigh the emissions produced by the electricity grid, even as it continues to rely on fossil fuel-fired power generation. As lead author Maxime Visa explains, Our study found that on-road emission decreases more than offset powerplant emission increases.
The study also compared the benefits of electrifying heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles. While heavy-duty vehicles were found to emit higher levels of pollutants and greenhouse gases on a per-vehicle basis, the sheer number of light-duty vehicles on the roads makes it necessary to incentivize an electric transition across all vehicle types.
The findings of this study were based on a high-resolution air-quality model that simulates pollution levels at a neighborhood scale. Researchers calculated that electrifying 30% of the on-road vehicle fleet in the Chicago region would result in significant reductions in emissions and pollutants. Carbon dioxide emissions would decrease by approximately 15.1 million tonnes annually. Moreover, there would be a notable reduction in premature deaths related to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, avoiding 1,120 and 170 deaths per year, respectively. However, there would be a slight increase in premature deaths from ozone, about 80 per year.
From an economic perspective, the study estimates that the Chicago region could save $10.7 billion and $1.63 billion annually due to the reduction in health costs associated with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. However, the slight increase in ozone-related health issues would result in an additional cost of $768 million per year.
It is worth noting that the benefits in terms of lives saved and economic savings would be even greater if the power grid shifted towards generating more emissions-free electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the positive impact of transitioning to electric vehicles in Chicago. By improving air quality, reducing harmful emissions, and addressing inequities, EV adoption holds tremendous potential for creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. Acknowledging the downstream air-quality effects of vehicle electrification is crucial to drive consumer and policy-maker support for cleaner modes of transportation.
