A 2023 study explored whether the growing adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) was associated with improvements in air quality and respiratory health in California. Researchers conducted a zip code-level ecologic study comparing ZEV adoption, nitrogen dioxide levels, and asthma-related emergency department visits from 2013 to 2019. Findings showed that increased ZEV adoption was associated with a decrease in asthma-related emergency department visits. However, ZEV adoption was slower in communities with lower socio-economic status (SES) highlighting concerns about equitable access.
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