The findings show that an estimated 1.2 million Chinese people suffer consequences from air pollution. The article states that by reducing emissions from power generation, health and environmental benefits might be achieved. In order to help the Chinese citizens, a team of Northwestern University researchers studied the idea of widespread adoption of electric vehicles. This study was published on February 16, 2021, and conducted that a fraction of China’s electricity is being sourced from coal. Moreover, pollution may come from such sources as transport emissions and different power-generated facilities. That is why the adoption of electric vehicles will facilitate the reduction of the emissions of air pollutants. In addition, researchers discovered that the adoption of such electric vehicles might reduce the public health burden and benefit the environment (Northwest University, 2021). The researchers argue that in order to achieve the net joint benefit of the introduction of heavy-duty electric vehicles, more widespread adoption of renewable energy is needed.
In order to prove these findings, the researchers conducted a simulation model, where they replaced 40% of heavy-duty vehicles with electric vehicles (Northwest University, 2021). This model allowed scientists to prove that there is a noticeable improvement in air quality in this case. However, electrification did not reduce the greenhouse effect, but the use of light electric vehicles reduced carbon dioxide emissions by two megatons. The research team conducted several more comparisons to complete the study, where they found that such measures would still help reduce premature mortality among the Chinese population by 6% (Northwest University, 2021). In conclusion, Schnell, a research scientist, stated that air quality would improve as the power-generation sector reduces the use of fossil fuels.
Reference
Northwestern University. (2021). Electricity source determines benefits of electrifying China’s vehicles: Reducing emissions from power generation is key to achieving health, environmental benefits. ScienceDaily.