Connect with us

Published

on

The benefits of trading in your gas guzzler for an EV go beyond protecting the environment. It can also help protect your health and that of those around you. With significant reductions in harmful air pollution, transitioning to electric vehicles and clean non-combustion electricity could save nearly 90,000 lives in the US by 2050, according to new data from the American Lung Association.

Can electric vehicles save lives with cleaner air?

The report highlights how the US could save close to $1 trillion ($978 billion) in public health benefits with fewer premature deaths, asthma attacks, and lost work days due to cleaner air. This includes:

  • $978 billion in public health benefits
  • 89,300 fewer premature deaths
  • 2.2 million fewer asthma attacks
  • 10.7 million fewer lost workdays

With transportation being the leading source of harmful air pollution and climate pollution (35% of total CO2 emissions in 2021) in the US, transitioning to zero-emission electric vehicles is critical.

Furthermore, over 35% of all Americans (roughly 120 million people) live in areas with unhealthy ozone and/or particle pollution linked to increased asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer, and premature deaths.

Although electric vehicle sales broke another record in the first three months of 2023, reaching 7.2% market share, more will need to be done to achieve a fully electric future.

The American Lung Association states in its Driving to Clean Air report, “It is imperative that states and the federal government implement stronger standards and take advantage of new funding programs to accelerate the transition away from combustion and toward zero-emission technology.”

electric-vehicles-save-lives

State and federal funding programs

To significantly reduce harmful pollution, the ALA highlights several state and federal programs designed to drive EV and clean electricity adoption but says further action is required.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed last August provides several incentives and rebates to support consumers and communities to jumpstart the clean energy economy with affordable options.

For example, buyers looking for a new EV are eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $7,500; used EVs also qualify for a credit of up to $4,000. Moreover, the bill provides rebates covering up to 100% of the costs of electric stoves, cooktops, ovens, and ranges.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021 invests $7.5 billion to build a nationwide EV charging network to drive adoption further.

The new investments enabled the EPA to introduce new emissions rules in April, creating stricter emissions standards for passenger vehicles. According to the EPA, the new rules could result in EV market share reaching 60% by 2030 and 67% by 2032.

Electric-vehicles-save-lives
States with zero-emission vehicle sales requirements (Source: American Lung Association)

Taking the initiative upon themselves, several states have adopted the California Air Resources Board Advanced Clean Cars II regulations designed to “rapidly scale down emissions” and drive zero-emission EV sales to 100% market share by 2035.

Six states have already adopted the policy while more are in the process of doing so, according to the American Lung Association.

The ALA concludes moving to zero-emission EVs, and electricity would result in “major improvements in public health.” According to the organization, the transition “represents a critical public health intervention to reduce harmful pollutants and prevent health emergencies.”

However, strong state and federal actions are needed to bring these health benefits to communities and drive the transition to 100% zero-emission passenger vehicles and non-combustion electricity sources by 2035.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Daily EV Recap: NJ signs law approving a punitive $250 new EV registration fee

Published

on

By

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from Electrek. Quick Charge is now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded Monday through Thursday and again on Saturday. Subscribe to our podcast in Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they’re available.

Stories we discuss in this episode (with links):

‘Pro-EV’ New Jersey just OK’ed the US’s highest dumb EV fee

BYD says EVs have entered the ‘knockout round’ with next-gen tech rolling out

Ford drastically cuts workforce at F-150 Lightning EV plant amid ‘much slower’ demand

XPeng (XPEV) launches two EVs in Germany with plans to enter more EU nations later this year

Tesla starts using ‘Supervised Full Self-Driving’ language

Listen & Subscribe:

Share your thoughts!

Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News.

You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Continue Reading

Environment

The first entirely US-made crystalline solar panels are coming to market

Published

on

By

The first entirely US-made crystalline solar panels are coming to market

All US-made solar panels featured only imported solar cells until now, but two US manufacturers just struck a three-year, $400 million deal. 

Canada-headquartered Heliene, which makes solar panels in Minnesota, will incorporate Georgia-based Suniva’s US-made monocrystalline silicon solar cells into its panels, and those “Made in the USA” panels will hit the market in mid-2024, thanks to a new three-year strategic sourcing contract between the two companies.

Heliene’s modules will be the first crystalline solar panels with US-made solar cells. Suniva says the catalyst for the pairing was solar project owners and developers wanting their projects to qualify for the 10% Domestic Content Bonus Investment Tax Credit. That’s achieved by using US-made cells based on the US Department of Treasury’s guidance published in May 2023 – and that’s in addition to the 30% IRA tax credit for renewable energy factories.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who visited Suniva’s Norcross, Georgia, factory yesterday, said, “Before this Administration, solar companies across the United States were struggling. Between 2016 and 2020, nearly 20% of solar manufacturing jobs were lost. Now, though there remain significant challenges, Inflation Reduction Act tax credits are helping change the game.”

Cristiano Amoruso, CEO of Suniva, said, “We are proud to fulfill our long-standing promise to bring back cell manufacturing to the United States at our Norcross facility.”

Read more: The US’s oldest solar factory filed for bankruptcy in 2017 – but now it’s back


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –ad*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Porsche retires gas-powered Boxster and Cayman in the EU with all-electric model coming

Published

on

By

Porsche retires gas-powered Boxster and Cayman in the EU with all-electric model coming

The gas-powered Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman models are being discontinued in Europe as an all-electric version approaches its debut.

Porsche retires gas-powered 718 Boxster, Cayman cars

After announcing plans to retire its best-selling SUV in Europe, the Macan, Porsche will do the same with its 718 Boxster and Cayman models.

Porsche retired the gas-powered Macan early due to new cybersecurity rules. Its availability ends in July 2024. The gas-powered 718 Boxster and Cayman are now set for the same fate.

In a statement to Auto Express, Porsche said as a result of the rule changes “sale of the 718 models with an internal combustion engine is discontinued in the EU and some states that apply EU legislation from now on, thereby ensuring that the vehicles can be delivered to customers and registered by the deadline.”

Porsche did note the 718 Cayman GT4 RS and 718 Spyder RS are not impacted “due to small series regulations.”

Porsche-Macan-EV-Turbo
Porsche Macan EV (left) and Turbo (right) versions (Source: Porsche AG)

Although the regulation applies to all vehicles (ICE and EV), Porsche is preparing to launch an all-electric 718 model. It’s not expected to have any issues with the new rules.

Like with the Macan, updating the gas-powered version would be too costly with an electric model rolling out anyways.

Porsche’s electric 718 is getting closer to production ahead of its debut. We got a sneak peek of the EV this week after it was spotted testing in the Arctic Circle rocking production headlights.

Porsche 718 EV testing (Source: CarSpyMedia)

The German automaker is expected to reveal the electric 718 model before the end of the year with deliveries kicking off in 2025. Porsche has already begun preparing its Zuffenhausen plant for the new EV.

Porsche CEO Oliver Blume confirmed plans to begin Macan EV deliveries later this year. Up next will be an electric 718 model followed by the long-awaited Cayenne EV.

Porsche-retires-Boxster
(Source: Porsche AG)

Porsche said it’s expanding “upward” with plans for an ultra-luxury electric SUV, slated to sit above the Cayenne. Blume called it “a very sporting interpretation of an SUV.”

Despite several automakers pulling back Porsche is sticking to its target of an 80% EV delivery share by 2030.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending