Electric Cars Are Making It Easier To Breathe, Study Finds
5 165An anonymous reader shares a report: It turns out that when fewer cars spew exhaust as they drive along, air quality improves. That's the conclusion of a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health that looked at the effect of increased numbers of both EVs and plug-in hybrids on air pollution in California. The Golden State has by far the largest number of plug-in vehicles in the United States, and they've now reached significant numbers to have a positive impact on air quality.
Between 2019 and 2023, for every 200 EVs or plug-in hybrids added, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels dropped 1.1%, according to the study, which used satellite data to track those levels through the unique way NO2 absorbs and reflects sunlight. NO2 can trigger asthma attacks, cause bronchitis, and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
5 comments
TFS is misleading (Score: 5, Informative)
by ClickOnThis ( 137803 ) on Monday February 09, 2026 @11:38PM (#65979244)
Per TFA, the 1.1% decrease in NO2 levels for each 200 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) introduced was within a zip-code tabulation area or ZCTA. Not an introduction of 200 ZEVs for the whole state of California.
You can tell the difference directly (Score: 5, Interesting)
by shilly ( 142940 ) on Tuesday February 10, 2026 @02:22AM (#65979364)
I live not too far from a big bus station here in the UK (Golders Green). About 70% of the bus lines operating from here are now EVs, and the remainder are all hybrid and tend to run on battery when in and around the station. The cab rank outside now mainly has LEVC EREVs which run on battery the vast majority of the time. And increasing amounts of the passing traffic are EVs too. It's substantially less smelly and the air is cleaner than five years ago, and it's also much quieter. Hampstead, St John's Wood and Marylebone are rife with Taycans and other pricey EVs, and again, the air is very obviously cleaner and less stinky, and the roads are much quieter, at least until some tit in a Lambo decides to rev their engines on a high street to impress themselves and their long-suffering partner.
All the above anecdote, of course, but it matters to me because I am personally experiencing the benefits, as is my family. And its backed up by the air quality monitoring carried out by London's local government. ULEZ has helped massively too.
Re:This is obviously bullshit lies because (Score: 5, Insightful)
by CaptQuark ( 2706165 ) on Monday February 09, 2026 @11:59PM (#65979272)
EVs are heavier and generate a lot lot lot more tire particulate.
Because electric cars don't eliminate or even reduce smog. Most of that smog you see is tire particulate.
Two statements which are both incorrect. Yes, EVs are about 20% heavier and generate about 20% more tire particulate matter (PM), but the difference changes based on urban vs rural vs highway driving. Also engine torque, brake pad composition, braking styles, and road dust change the equation. And when you add in the small amount of engine particulate matter (even the best tuned ICE engines still emit some PM) the final conclusion was EVs are better in most cases.
If you want to see the different conditions, Emission Factors (EF), and road conditions, read this study.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are regarded as zero emission vehicles due to the absence of exhaust emissions. However, they still contribute non-exhaust particulate matter (PM) emissions, generated by brake wear, tire wear, road wear, and resuspended road dust. In fact, because EVs are heavier than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), their non-exhaust emissions are likely to be even higher.
In this study, exhaust and non-exhaust emissions generated from a gasoline ICEV, diesel ICEV, and EV were experimentally investigated. The results showed that the EFs for the total PM emissions of ICEVs and EV were dependent on the inclusion of secondary exhaust PM, the brake pad type, and the regenerative braking intensity of the EV. https://www.sciencedirect.com/... [sciencedirect.com]
TL;DR When all emission factors are considered, EVs typically produce less particulate matter
Re:This is obviously bullshit lies because (Score: 5, Informative)
by CaptQuark ( 2706165 ) on Tuesday February 10, 2026 @12:46AM (#65979306)
I agree. Tire composition will change the particulate matter for the study and general drivability and price for the average consumer.
The study used tires with a 500 treadwear grade, which is a high-longevity, durable tire designed to last five times longer than a baseline reference tire (rated at 100) under government-controlled testing conditions. This generally translates to a long-lasting, reliable tire, often yielding 50,000 to 75,000+ miles depending on driving habits, vehicle type, and maintenance.
This tire may or may not be similar to what the average driver has on their vehicle, but it was the baseline for this study, as described in the abstract. Drivers in Michigan, California, and Texas might prefer different tire compositions, but something was needed for the baseline. As more studies are completed, a more detailed picture might emerge.
Re:This is obviously bullshit lies because (Score: 5, Informative)
by DrXym ( 126579 ) on Tuesday February 10, 2026 @03:24AM (#65979464)
Some EVs have 1 pedal driving modes where drivers don't use the brakes at all usually. But all EVs use regen to slow the car either through 1 pedal, or the car software applying regen when the driver softly brakes. The only time actual brakes would be employed is when the driver pushes hard to rapidly slow the car, like in an emergency stop.
Since brakes are used less, some EVs have even gone back to using drum brakes on rear axle and only have disc on front. Anyone driving an ID platform car (VW, Audi, Skoda, Cupra, EU Ford etc.) has such a set up. Drum brakes are enclosed systems so they don't even release dust except when being serviced and since the brakes aren't used so much that may not happen in the entire lifetime of the car.
So basically, an EV puts out WAY less brake dust than ICE.