Health another EV reason

A new report on car emission-related deaths provides a plug for electric vehicles.

The report, Cleaner and Safer Roads for NSW from the Electric Vehicle Council and Asthma Australia, finds emissions from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the Sydney-Newcastle-Wollongong area creates A$3 billion in health costs annually.

About 52% of that pollution comes from exhaust emissions, while the remainder comes from non-exhaust emissions such as tyre and brake wear, it says.

That’s prompted the two groups to call for car emission-related deaths to be included in the NSW road toll.

The report, compiled with assistance from Doctors for the Environment Australia, finds EVs shave health costs per vehicle by A$3690.

“We’ve seen a lot of graphic road safety campaigns, but the deadliest part of a vehicle is actually its exhaust pipe,” Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari says.

“There are many good reasons for New South Wales to get behind a rapid transition to electric vehicles, but the most underrated is our health and safety.

“Using mortality data from the Department of Environment and Conservation Vehicle, we can see vehicle emissions kill some 650 people in New South Wales each and every year. That’s 60% more deaths than car crashes.

“These are not abstractions. They are very real costs that are felt in very real ways. We can pump better health and more money back into the state by phasing out exhaust pipes and phasing in zero-emission vehicles.”

Asthma Australia chief executive officer Michele Goldman says curbing vehicle emissions would be a practical way to reduce asthma risk factors, especially among children.

“Vehicle pollution is particularly significant when it comes to children’s asthma. Kids living within 75 metres of a major road have a 29% increased risk of lifetime asthma,” Goldman says.

“We often see schools built on main roads to increase accessibility, increasing exposure to asthma risk factors.

“People with asthma suffer from air pollution more than others because their airways are particularly sensitive. Indeed, anyone with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, lung disease, or cardiovascular disease is more susceptible. Such people have more frequent and more serious symptoms when exposed to air pollution.”

The report also notes noise pollution from road traffic is estimated to cause A$1.4 billion in social costs annually in NSW, a cost it says would be greatly mitigated by quiet EVs.