New ASPIRE Nature Article Examines Environmental & Economic Benefits of Electrified Transportation in the U.S. 

Salt Lake City, Utah, has been ranked among the world’s most polluted cities.  

Its geographical location — surrounded by mountains — often creates temperature inversions that trap pollutants from vehicles, homes, and industries, leading to a build-up of particulate matter in the air. Widespread vehicle electrification can significantly reduce transportation-related pollutants in the valley, making it an impactful strategy for improving the state’s air quality, explained Noah Horesh, a Colorado State research scientist with ASPIRE. 

“Electric Vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions at the point of travel, reducing local air pollution,” Horesh said. “As a result, EVs typically contribute to improved air quality, particularly in urban areas. Emissions associated with charging EVs come from electricity generation, which can be mitigated with less reliance on fossil fuel combustion. However, all vehicles, including EVs, still contribute to particulate emissions from brake and tire wear.”  

In his recent article published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, Horesh examined the impact of transitioning from petroleum-fueled to electrified transportation on emissions.  

Horesh discussed how in 2023, transitioning from petroleum-fueled to electrified transportation options had significant reductions to emissions. With continued research advancements and broader adoption of electrified transportation, those numbers could improve even further. 

According to his article, “Modeling indicates that if current trends in grid emissions reductions and vehicle efficiency continue, emissions from electrified transportation could decline by an additional 60-80% over the next two decades compared to petroleum-fueled vehicles.”   

As these advancements take hold, communities will experience noticeably cleaner air, reducing health risks associated with pollution while moving toward a more sustainable transportation system. With each step toward electrification and cleaner energy integration, the air quality benefits will continue to grow. 

“In the future, as the electric grid increasingly relies on clean energy sources like wind, solar, and nuclear,” Horesh said, “the emissions associated with EV charging, battery production, and vehicle manufacturing will decline.” 

And these decreases are not just benefiting Utahns. The research highlights the significant potential to implement electrified transportation at a large scale in the United States.  

“Locations with clean electricity will have the greatest reductions, places like Washington, Oregon, and California,” Horesh described. “Passenger cars and freight trucks represent the largest share of emissions and would be the most impactful, at scale, to decrease.” 

Switching the United States transportation sector to electrified transportation would bring immediate benefits leading to better public health.  

The transition would create new economic opportunities through job growth in clean energy industries while also reducing noise pollution in urban areas. Over the long term, widespread electrification would lower transportation costs for consumers and businesses, making travel more affordable and sustainable. 

“Many different efforts need to come together for a smooth transition. To name a few: charging technology and management, battery advancements, battery supply chain and recycling, workforce development, grid infrastructure expansion, emissions and cost modeling, and system level optimization for efficient infrastructure deployment,” Horesh said. 

The research highlights the significant potential of electrification in mitigating transportation-caused emissions and underscores the need for technological innovation to accelerate this transition.  

The shift toward electrified transportation will not only help reduce emissions but also pave the way for a more sustainable and economically prosperous future, with tangible benefits for both human health and the environment. 

More about ASPIRE:

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of clean transportation. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu. 

Contacts:

Noah Horesh
Research Scientist — Electrified Transportation,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Colorado State University

Writer:

Chloe Miller
Marketing & Communications Intern
ASPIRE