Report: Electric cars linked to childhood asthma prevention

A US study has found that putting more electric vehicles on the road can help reduce the risk of childhood asthma. The researchers concluded after evaluating data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collected between 2013 and 2019.

According to Harshit Gujrat, Meredith Franklin, and Steve Easterbrook, a new childhood asthma case was reported for every 1,000 new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles sold. However, replacing only 21 percent of new fossil-fueled automobiles with EVs could be “sufficient to halt rising asthma rates caused by new vehicle sales.”

The report shows that the figure varies from state to state. Based on population density and the number of existing vehicles, some states need only swap out 7 percent of their new ICEs, while others require up to 42 percent replacement. This implies that highly populated states with a higher concentration of older gas-powered vehicles stand to reap the biggest benefits from electric cars.

Meanwhile, the study demonstrates that EVs already have a positive impact on public health in the US. States with zero-emission vehicle programs report the majority of the gains.

The study recommends that policymakers find ways to make EVs more attainable for low-income earners. However, it cautions that electric cars are not the only solution for improving children’s health.