A faster transition to zero-emission vehicles in the United States could prevent more than 100,000 premature deaths and substantially reduce respiratory illnesses over the coming decades, according to a new report released by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
The analysis found that pollution generated from producing and consuming fuel for road transportation contributed to more than 41,800 premature deaths and 23,100 new pediatric asthma cases across the United States in 2024.
According to the report, the United States records more new childhood asthma cases linked to vehicle pollution each year than any other country, with American children accounting for about one in ten such cases globally in 2024.
Faster EV Transition Could Deliver Major Health Benefits
The ICCT projects that vehicle-related pollution will gradually decline as electric vehicles become more common. However, the organization said a more rapid transition would produce significantly greater public health benefits.
According to the study, achieving 100% market share for electric cars, trucks, and buses by 2040 could prevent more than 100,000 premature deaths and avoid over 42,000 new pediatric asthma cases by 2050, compared with the organization’s baseline adoption scenario.
Lingzhi Jin, Senior Researcher at the ICCT, said reducing vehicle emissions could help address several major health concerns.
“The chemicals in vehicle exhaust are known to worsen and contribute to the development of asthma, cancer, and other serious illnesses. By increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, we can cut this pollution at the source and help alleviate one of the many drivers of the chronic disease crisis.”
Joshua Miller, Senior Director at the ICCT, said achieving those outcomes would require stronger policy support.
“Our research shows that dramatically speeding up our progress on electric cars, trucks, and buses over the next two decades could prevent more than 100,000 premature deaths across the U.S. Getting to that goal will require robust new policies at the state and federal level to accelerate transformation of the market.”
Heavy-Duty Vehicles Remain Major Pollution Source
The report identified medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including long-haul trucks, large delivery vehicles, and transit buses, as the largest contributors to harmful vehicle-related air pollution despite representing only a small share of vehicles on U.S. roads.
Previous ICCT research cited in the report found that electric trucks and buses can offset their higher purchase prices through lower fuel and maintenance costs, with payback periods ranging from one to ten years, depending on vehicle use.
Ray Minjares, Program Director at the ICCT, said expanding electric freight transportation could deliver both economic and environmental benefits.
“Zero-emission freight makes economic sense across a growing number of routes, especially where diesel health impacts are greatest. With smart policies that further drive down the cost and drive up the sales of electric freight vehicles, U.S. states will deliver economic growth, energy savings and a pollution-free future.”
