Report: Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles Would Save 3,960 New Jersey Lives, Generate Nearly 44 Billion in Public Health Benefits

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Steve Lubetkin, SBN News Director, with American Lung Association report author Will Barrett, on SBN Newsmakers

March 31, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (SBN) – A nationwide transition to clean, zero-emission vehicles would have a dramatic impact on the air quality and health of New Jersey residents, according to a new report by the American Lung Association. The “Zeroing in on Healthy Air” report, released today, reveals that a widespread transition to vehicles powered by clean electricity generation would result in up to 3,960 avoided deaths and $43.6 billion in public health benefits here in New Jersey. 

In fact, two metro areas that include New Jersey counties are ranked in the top 25 metro areas that would benefit most from the transition to zero-emission electric vehicles. The New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA ranked 2nd and the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD ranked 5th of the top 25 to benefit.

SBN News Director Steve Lubetkin spoke exclusively with report author Will Barrett, national director of advocacy, clean air, for the American Lung Association. You can watch the conversation in this video player. (Closed captions are available for the deaf and hard of hearing by clicking the “CC” button on the video player.)

“Zeroing in on Healthy Air” outlines the broad benefits of the transition to a zero-emission transportation sector over the coming decades. The report illustrates the potential health and climate benefits if all new passenger vehicles sold are zero-emission by 2035 and all new trucks and buses sold are zero-emission by 2040. The report projects that the nation’s electric grid will be powered by clean, non-combustion electricity replacing dirty fossil fuels by 2035.

Nationally, a widespread transition to electric vehicles powered by clean electricity would generate more than $1.2 trillion in health benefits and $1.7 trillion in additional climate benefits by 2050. Here in New Jersey, the transition would generate $43.6 billion in public health benefits and result in up to:

  • 3,960 avoided deaths 
  • 92,400 avoided asthma attacks 
  • 464,000 avoided lost workdays 

“The transportation sector is a leading contributor to air pollution and climate change,” said Michael Seilback, National AVP, Public Policy, at the American Lung Association. “Thankfully, the technologies and systems are in place to make these benefits a reality, especially in communities most impacted by harmful pollution today. We need our state leaders to act to implement equitable policies and invest in the transition to healthy air today. This is an urgent health issue for millions of people in the U.S. Especially as our state faces the impacts of climate change such as extreme heat, and high-tide and coastal flooding, this is a powerful and practical opportunity to take action to improve our economy, our health and our future.”

Climate change threatens the health of all Americans, from wildfires and extreme storms to worsening air pollution. And poor air quality caused by transportation and electricity generation contributes to a wide range of negative health impacts, including childhood asthma attacks, impaired lung function and development, lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes and premature deaths. These are sources of health disparities in lower-income communities and communities of color, both in terms of exposure to harmful air and the associated health consequences.

Achieving these major benefits to our health and our climate will require dedicated and sustained leadership. Investment at all levels of government, and public education and engagement will ensure the transition to zero-emission vehicles provides clean air for everyone.

For more information about “Zeroing in on Healthy Air,” visit Lung.org/EV.