A report out Wednesday from the American Lung Association has revealed how a transition to zero emission cars would impact major cities around the Bay Area.
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More than four in ten people live where pollution levels frequently make the air too dangerous to breathe. Cars, trucks and other vehicles are a leading source of that pollution.
San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland are ranked among the top 10 cities most at risk from air pollution, but according to the American Lung Association, these effects may be undone by a switch to electric vehicles.
A portion of the study titled "Achieving Significant Health Benefits through Transportation Electrification," found that of all 50 states, California would benefit the most from a transition to zero emission cars. "15,300 premature deaths avoided, 440 asthma attacks and 2.1 million lost work days. The benefits for California are profound," Paul Billings, Senior Vice President of advocacy for the American Lung Association, told KCBS Radio.
As car makers invest more in electric vehicles, Billings said costs will continue to come down, making zero emission cars more affordable for everyone. "Also, we know that electric vehicles have much less maintenance obligations because there are fewer moving parts in an electric vehicle," he added.
Working to make electric vehicles more financially accessible is a massive step in ending environmental inequality. "Far too often, clean air is out of reach for communities living near major pollution sources, including highways, ports and power plants. Communities of color are disproportionately harmed by poor air quality in the United States. The time to act on electric transportation is now." Harold Wimmer, President and CEO American Lung Association, stated.
By 2030, California aims to reach 61% zero emission electric car sales, and if additional goals are reached stretching into 2050, 100,000 lives could be saved.
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