2024-06-03 ヒューストン大学(UH)
◆最近、大気汚染が米国で6番目にひどい都市にランクされたヒューストンは、電気自動車に切り替えることで毎月157人の早期死亡を防ぐことができる可能性がある。電気自動車の影響は地域によって異なる。
「米国の人口が最も多い都市部における自動車の電動化と排出ガス規制の空気の質と健康への相乗効果：ニューヨーク、ロサンゼルス、シカゴ、ヒューストンからの洞察」と題されたこの研究では、さまざまな電動化シナリオのもとで、米国の主要都市における大気汚染、特にPM2.5とオゾンレベルの変化を調査した。この研究は、科学誌「Science of the Total Environment」に掲載された。
＜関連情報＞
- https://uh.edu/news-events/stories/2024/june/06032024-ev-air-quality-cities.php
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969723082074
米国で最も人口の多い都市ハブにおける自動車の電動化と排ガス規制がもたらす大気質と健康のコベネフィット：ニューヨーク、ロサンゼルス、シカゴ、ヒューストンからの考察 Air quality and health co-benefits of vehicle electrification and emission controls in the most populated United States urban hubs: Insights from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston
Seyedali Mousavinezhad, Yunsoo Choi, Nima Khorshidian, Masoud Ghahremanloo, Mahmoudreza Momeni
Science of The Total Environment Available online: 26 December 2023
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169577
Highlights
- Study assesses air quality impact using 1 km resolution model for EV transition.
- Eastern Los Angeles saw secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) rise in all scenarios.
- Full electrification may prevent or increase premature deaths, varying by region.
- VOCs management is crucial for optimal urban air quality with EVs.
Abstract
Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is a prominent strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, given the complexity of atmospheric chemistry, the nuanced implications on air quality are yet to be fully understood. Our study delved into changes in PM2.5, ozone, and their associated precursors in major US urban areas, considering various electrification and mitigation scenarios. In the full electrification (FullE) scenario, PM2.5 reduction peaked at values between 0.34 and 2.29 μg.m−3 across distinct regions. Yet, certain areas in eastern Los Angeles exhibited a surprising uptick in PM2.5, reaching as much as 0.67 μg.m−3. This phenomenon was linked to a surge in secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), resulting from shifting NOx/VOCs (volatile organic compounds) dynamics and a spike in hydroxyl radical (OH) concentrations. The FullE scenario ushered in marked reductions in both NOx and maximum daily average 8-h (MDA8) ozone concentrations, with maximum levels ranging from 14.00 to 32.34 ppb and 2.58–9.58 ppb, respectively. However, certain instances revealed growths in MDA8 ozone concentrations, underscoring the intricacies of air quality management. From a health perspective, in the FullE scenario, New York, Chicago, and Houston stand to potentially avert 796, 328, and 157 premature deaths/month, respectively. Los Angeles could prevent 104 premature deaths/month in the HighE-BL scenario, representing a 29 % EV share for light-duty vehicles. However, the FullE scenario led to a rise in mortality in Los Angeles due to increased PM2.5 and MDA8 ozone levels. Economically, the FullE scenario projects health benefits amounting to 51–249 million $/day for New York, Chicago, and Houston. In contrast, Los Angeles may face economic downturns of up to 18 million $/day. In conclusion, while EV integration has the potential to improve urban air quality, offering substantial health and economic advantages, challenges persist. Our results emphasize the pivotal role of VOCs management, providing policymakers with insights for adaptable and efficient measures.
Graphical abstract
