Why electric cars could save your life

One of the main benefits of electric cars has nothing to do with climate change - it has to do with you and your loved ones.

A switch from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles could prevent thousands of premature deaths from smog every year, according to a leading health expert.

Clare Walter, a PhD candidate from the University of Queensland, said internal combustion engines emitted a range of toxic pollutants that led to serious health effects.

“Two-thirds of the health impacts that are associated with air pollution are from chronic day-to-day exposures from vehicles. So the 11,000 premature deaths from vehicle exhaust would be reduced, children’s asthma would be reduced, all these other diseases that are linked would also be reduced and we would have a massive impact on health care,” she said.

“I can’t think of one thing we could do more in Australia that would have a positive impact on healthcare and take some of the burden off the health system.”

She said the effects of vehicle exhaust were worse on children than adults, because their lungs were still developing.

Diesel powered vehicles are particularly bad for air pollution in cities.

Toxic gases are released at ground level and children are especially at risk as childcare centres and schools are often located on busy roads.

Ms Walter said children were more susceptible to smog and fumes because they had a much higher respiratory rate, a larger surface area of lungs relative to the rest of their bodies and immature defence systems that allow greater penetration of air pollutants.

A child’s shorter height also elevated their exposure as they were closer to the exhaust pipes.

She highlighted the school pick-up as an area of particular concern, as idling SUVs and diesel utes waited in sometimes long lines.

“You wouldn’t smoke a cigarette in front of children, so why would you leave your engine idling. They need to be considered in the same context,” she said.

Car exhaust accounts for the majority of nitrogen oxides in the air.

Exhaust fumes are responsible for the majority of nitrogen oxide in the air.

At lower levels oxides of nitrogen can irritate eyes, noses, throats and lungs, leading to shortness of breath, tiredness and nausea.

Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari said the implementation of a CO2 emissions standard in Australia would help reduce air pollution.

“I think in Australia because we don’t see smog like in other countries people assume that there isn’t an air pollution problem when it comes to our cars,” said Mr Jafari.

“As we shift people over to electric cars, it gets that smog out. It also creates a much nicer environment where you can sit outside cafes without constantly hearing noise and getting smoke blown at you.”

The government is in the process of developing a vehicle emission standard that will fine car makers for thirsty vehicles that emit more CO2.

EVDirect.com boss Luke Todd, who imports BYD electric cars into Australia, said a reduction in air and noise pollution was a forgotten benefit of electric vehicles.

“People get so caught up in talking about climate change and saving the world type thing, but what we can do is put more electric vehicles on the roads which clearly provide cleaner air and health benefits at a local level,” said Mr Todd.

“By getting a lot of EVs on city streets, it does improve the local air quality. That is a no-brainer. It’s proven. It’s not a science discussion. It’s proven and that is such an important thing when we can be making a contribution at a local level.”

Ms Walter said electric cars weren’t the only solution and more people needed to walk, use public transport and cycle.

Originally published as Why electric cars could save your life