HProfessional vehicles are popular Pollution reduction strategybut weak communities being left behind. a New study Posted in PLOS Climate Analyze California’s electric vehicle rebate program and find that EVs do indeed reduce pollution—But only already wealthy areas.
r was foundresearchers analyzed data from california Clean car discount project From 2010 to 2021. They set the geographic distribution of More than 400,000 electric vehicle rebates were issued through the program during those years. They also modeled carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and PM 2.5 emissions in those census areas. Total net emissions related to vehicle exhaust pipes have decreased With more electric vehicles on the way, but wealthier regions have reaped most of these benefits. Those regions experienced a much higher reduction in air pollution compared to the disadvantaged communities.
The researchers also found that PM2.5 pollution increased in 17% of the disadvantaged areas studied. This is because poorer Californians are more likely to dieo Living near fossil fuel infrastructure. The study noted that the communities identified as acutely disadvantaged account for only about a quarter of the state, but that those areas “contain 50% of California’s natural gas power plants.”. They are also more likely to live there High traffic areas Therefore they are exposed to Pollution from tiresincluding PM 2.5.
aMore electric cars require charging, and the demand on the grid increases. Although some of the state’s grids run on renewable energy, most are powered by natural gas From power plants, 42% of California’s electricity generation will be generated in 2022, according to manage energy information. “(EVs) are just as clean as the primary electric grid from which electricity is obtained,” Jaye Mejía-Duwan, study author f PhD candidate in University of California, Berkeleyhe said to Arthur.
Another reason for the uneven distribution of pollution comes from the low rate of electric vehicle use in disadvantaged communities. According to the study, disadvantaged communities received only about 7% of rebates through the state program. And although California has increased incentives by thousands of dollars, residents in disadvantaged communities can’t easily afford a new car. “You need to pay the full price of the car in advance, then place an order and only two months later you will get some money back,” said Meijia Duan.
Chargers are also less likely to be found in rural and lower-income communities, making EVs more difficult to access, CalMatters says. mentioned. Mejía-Duwan wants future research to look at the full life cycle of electric vehicles and calculate more Manufacturing can also lead to environmental concerns.
“This study looked at direct emissions and does not take into account emissions from the production or distribution of electric vehicles,” they said. It has been noted that batteries pose a significant amount of environmental and labor hazards and human rights issues related to its production. Thus an analysis of the full life cycle of electric vehicles can shed more light on the overall disparities.”
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