EVs can be good for air quality in some US cities, not all: University of Houston study

Research by the University of Houston has found that why a complete switch to electric vehicles could have negative impacts in Los Angeles.

The study by the University of Houston on the impact of switching fully to Electrical Vehicles is titled - “Air quality and health co-benefits of vehicle electrification and emission controls in the most populated United States urban hubs: insights from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston,”.

The study was based on major U.S. cities. It researched the changes in air pollution specifically PM2.5 and ozone levels in these cities.

The study highlighted that by switching to electric vehicles Houston could prevent around 157 premature deaths each month while New York and Chicago cities could see even greater benefits. New York can prevent 796 premature deaths and Chicago can prevent 328 premature deaths per month. However, in Los Angeles, in the case of 29% EV share for light-duty vehicles, around 104 lives can be saved each month but full electrification could increase mortality in Los Angeles due to higher PM2.5 and ozone levels.

The first author of the paper Ali Mousavinezhad, who earned a Ph.D. from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences of UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics this year said, "Our findings indicate vehicle electrification generally contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and lowering the mortality rate associated with exposure to toxic air pollutants."

“However, due to the complex atmospheric chemistry and unique meteorological and geographical conditions of Los Angeles, complete electrification might lead to increased concentrations of secondary aerosols, potentially causing adverse impacts on human health and the economy by raising mortality rates. This underscores the need for region-specific environmental regulations," he added.

University of Houston System Ranks Among Top 100 US Universities For Utility Patents

National Academy of Inventors issued a list that ranks the University of Houston System among the top 100 universities across the nation for the number of utility patents issued in 2023.

In 2023, the University of Houston received 27 utility patents and tied with the University of Rochester for 63rd on the list.

Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president of energy and innovation at the University of Houston said, "This ranking highlights the commitment of our faculty researchers, who explore frontiers of knowledge to enhance the well-being of our society. At UH, we are committed to creating new technologies that drive innovation, boost Houston's economy and tackle some of the most perplexing problems facing us.”

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