(New York, NY, Tuesday, January 19, 2021) – There’s been a lot of attention given to the effort to reduce pollution from cars, with many encouraging greater adoption of electric vehicles. And while that’s a critical step, we can’t overlook the huge potential for both our climate and our health from moving to zero-emission trucks and buses. Why? Because not only do trucks and buses emit carbon dioxide but they also account for significant amounts of the soot and smog pollution in our country.

As the Biden Administration seeks to boost our nation’s COVID-ravaged economy by creating good-paying jobs, as well as set an ambitious climate and health agenda and seek to boost environmental justice, it must prioritize the significant opportunities in our nation’s truck and bus fleets.

Key facts and concerns related to trucks and buses:

Significant health opportunity: While heavy-duty trucks account for only 4% of all vehicles on U.S. roads, they are responsible for huge health costs, including the majority of the country’s NOx pollution- a key driver of dangerous smog, and nearly 60% of fine particulate (soot) pollution from transportation, endangering public health. Trucks burning dirty diesel are fouling the air and causing the deaths of over 9,000 people annually in the U.S. And these numbers are projected to rise, with demand for freight being moved by trucks expected to increase about 25% by 2030.

Potential for significant benefits to communities of color and low-income communities: Multiple studies, including in Houston, Oakland, New England and Newark, show that communities of color and low-income communities are more likely to live in areas with high levels of air pollution from cars and trucks than white residents. With concerted outreach and coordination, moving to zero emission trucks and buses can greatly improve health outcomes for these communities.

Electrifying trucks is a huge economic opportunity: The electrification of trucks and buses — everything from semis and delivery vans to transit buses to garbage trucks and school buses— is already underway, and analysts say it could spark a $47 billion global industry as well as good paying jobs. The US must compete with Europe and China to win these jobs of the future.

Jason Mathers, Director, Vehicles & Freight Strategy at Environmental Defense Fund provides evidence for why reducing pollution from and electrifying trucks and buses sector is so important from an environmental, health and economic perspective.