Electric vehicle fleet penetration helps address inequalities in air quality and improves environmental justice

Abstract

Abstract Accelerated penetration of on-road electric vehicles offers regional and community-scale air quality benefits; however, such benefits have not been previously quantified regarding environmental justice communities near major roads. This study evaluated six 2040 electric vehicle scenarios and quantified concentration reductions of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (diameter less than 2.5 µm) for southern California environmental justice communities near Interstate 710. Findings showed that aggressive electric vehicle penetration (85% electric vehicle share) reduced nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter concentrations more in communities with more people of color (1.9 ppb and 1.1 μg m−3) than in communities with more White residents (1.6 ppb and 0.94 μg m−3). Aggressive electric vehicle penetration reduced pollution exposure disparity by 30% for nitrogen dioxide and 14% for fine particulate matter. Disparity reductions were also found based on educational attainment. Results suggest policies that encourage accelerated electric vehicle penetration will address inequalities in air pollution and help achieve environmental justice.