Dataset Information

Life cycle air quality impacts of conventional and alternative light-duty transportation in the United States.

ABSTRACT: Commonly considered strategies for reducing the environmental impact of light-duty transportation include using alternative fuels and improving vehicle fuel economy. We evaluate the air quality-related human health impacts of 10 such options, including the use of liquid biofuels, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG) in internal combustion engines; the use of electricity from a range of conventional and renewable sources to power electric vehicles (EVs); and the use of hybrid EV technology. Our approach combines spatially, temporally, and chemically detailed life cycle emission inventories; comprehensive, fine-scale state-of-the-science chemical transport modeling; and exposure, concentration-response, and economic health impact modeling for ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). We find that powering vehicles with corn ethanol or with coal-based or "grid average" electricity increases monetized environmental health impacts by 80% or more relative to using conventional gasoline. Conversely, EVs powered by low-emitting electricity from natural gas, wind, water, or solar power reduce environmental health impacts by 50% or more. Consideration of potential climate change impacts alongside the human health outcomes described here further reinforces the environmental preferability of EVs powered by low-emitting electricity relative to gasoline vehicles.

SUBMITTER: Tessum CW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4284558 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Life cycle air quality impacts of conventional and alternative light-duty transportation in the United States.

Tessum Christopher W CW Hill Jason D JD Marshall Julian D JD

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20141215 52

Commonly considered strategies for reducing the environmental impact of light-duty transportation include using alternative fuels and improving vehicle fuel economy. We evaluate the air quality-related human health impacts of 10 such options, including the use of liquid biofuels, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG) in internal combustion engines; the use of electricity from a range of conventional and renewable sources to power electric vehicles (EVs); and the use of hybrid EV technology. O ...[more]

PMID: 25512510

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Dataset Information

Life cycle air quality impacts of conventional and alternative light-duty transportation in the United States.

Publications

Life cycle air quality impacts of conventional and alternative light-duty transportation in the United States.

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