The growing adoption of electric vehicles is improving air quality. Confirmation comes from the study “The Lancet Planetary Health” conducted by the University of Southern California, which shows that for every 200 zero-emission vehicles, there is an average 1.1% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels, a pollutant associated with several adverse health effects.

Similar studies had been carried out in the past, but they were based on data from only a few ground-based monitoring stations, sometimes located far from urban areas. The new research instead used data from the European TROPOMI satellite, which enables daily monitoring of nitrogen dioxide based on how the gas absorbs and reflects sunlight. A total of 1,692 areas across California were analyzed.

The results are clear: the increase in electric, hybrid and plug-in vehicles has led to a steady and consistent reduction in pollution. The next goal for the Californian researchers is to identify a correlation between the spread of zero-emission vehicles and a decrease in emergency room visits for respiratory diseases.

Innovative technologies for the production and recycling of electric and hybrid vehicles, for the automotive, transport and industrial sectors, will be showcased at E-Tech Europe, taking place from October 7 to 9, 2026, at Bologna Exhibition Centre as part of Urban Tech 2026 – The Urban Technology Show, the new event dedicated to e-mobility, traffic, commuting, security, telecommunications & data, and the environment.