Vehicle Pollution Is Killing Thousands, And EV Rollbacks May Make It Worse

The Other Side Of Traffic

One of the biggest advantages of EVs is their lack of tailpipe emissions. In theory, putting more of them on the road should reduce vehicle pollution, even as critics argue that producing EV components can be more emissions-intensive than building combustion cars.

Thanks to a study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, reported by The Guardian, there is now more context on that dilemma. The study suggests that more than 41,800 premature deaths in the U.S. in 2024 were attributable to road vehicle pollution. It also found that the U.S. had the highest number of new childhood asthma cases linked to vehicle pollution of any country.

What The Study Predicts

The estimate was reached using sensor data and established health-impact methods. If electric cars, trucks, and buses reach 100% of new vehicle sales by 2040, the study suggests that more than 100,000 premature deaths and over 42,000 childhood asthma cases could be prevented by 2050.

There is an emphasis on “if,” especially given the scaling back of EV adoption policies not only in the U.S. but also in other major markets. In Europe, the European Union’s 2035 plan for zero-emission new cars was softened late last year, which would still allow some non-electric vehicles after 2035. Some automakers have also argued that shifting to an EV-only future is unrealistic, including Toyota, which has stood by its multi-pathway approach even as many rivals have laid out aggressive EV targets.

The EV market in the U.S. saw significant growth in the first half of this decade, but lost momentum after the Trump administration moved to end the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The administration framed the move as a matter of consumer choice rather than forcing buyers toward EVs.

As such, the report noted that some experts describe the policy changes as moving in the “wrong direction.”

The EV Balancing Act

The reversal of EV policies has coincided with renewed attention on certain combustion products, including the return of the the Ram 1500 TRX SRT with the Hemi V8, which now makes 777 horsepower. Several EV plans, from new models to production strategies, have also been delayed or canceled, with some automakers shifting to hybrids instead.

If anything, the study's findings may put pressure on automakers by suggesting that while profitability is important, they also have a responsibility to help reduce vehicle pollution.

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