Electrifying heavy-duty trucks reduces on-road emissions but shifts pollution burdens to power plants, with disadvantaged communities still facing higher exposure despite overall air quality improvements.
By Vijay Kumar MalesuReviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Feb 13 2025 While electrifying trucks slashes diesel emissions, new research reveals a stark reality: pollution burdens shift to power plants, keeping disadvantaged communities at risk. Can targeted strategies close the gap?
Air pollution is a persistent public health challenge, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Heavy-duty diesel trucks contribute significantly to particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions, exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Prior studies have examined regional impacts, but a comprehensive national assessment of air pollution disparities under full truck electrification is still needed to guide equitable policy development.
The study modeled emissions from Class 8 diesel trucks, which were compared to estimated grid emissions from electric truck charging loads under varying renewable energy scenarios. Air pollution exposure disparities were assessed by calculating absolute and relative differences, which the study found increased over time, from 0.7% to 6.9%, in PM2.5 concentrations between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged communities as well as across racial-ethnic groups.
Under low renewable energy cost scenarios, the IRA’s incentives accelerate grid decarbonization, leading to an 84% reduction in premature mortality in disadvantaged communities by 2050. Currently, 95% of drayage vehicle miles traveled already provide net health benefits for disadvantaged communities, compared to only 33% of long-haul VMT.
Specifically, the study identified 91 high-emission power plants expected to ramp up due to electric truck charging loads, with 71 located within five miles of disadvantaged communities. Addressing emissions from these plants through additional regulatory measures could help mitigate inequities.
Air Pollution Mortality Public Health Research Respiratory
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