The proliferation of electric vehicles in cities benefits even people who cannot afford to buy an electric car. This is the conclusion reached by scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Nature Communications (NatComms).
Experts analyzed the impact of electric cars on the environment in poor areas of Los Angeles. Modeling showed that increasing the number of electric cars on highways passing through disadvantaged neighborhoods reduced pollution levels in those communities by 40% more than in other parts of the metropolis. However, the ecology in these regions is still not at the desired level due to the large share of vehicles with internal combustion engines and the proximity of major highways.
About 45% of the 10 million residents of Los Angeles County, which includes the city itself and its suburbs, live in disadvantaged areas, according to the study. However, they account for only 18% of registered electric vehicles.
The report’s authors recommend that government agencies push for medium- and heavy-duty trucks to switch to electricity and other environmentally friendly fuels, since trucks produce the most polluting emissions.
In the future, scientists plan to find out what factors, besides lack of money, prevent poor residents from using electric cars.
Previously Tesla announced About the recall of more than 2 million electric vehicles due to autopilot problems.