Nitric oxide emissions from four global truck manufacturers are estimated to cause over 300,000 early deaths over the next 15 years.
A new report from the research institute Crea also points to increased risk of early births and emergency asthma visits.
“The effects of these trucks are huge for public health and the economy,” says Jamie Kelly, project manager at the Center for Research On Energy and Clean Air.
According to the report, exhaust from truck manufacturers Daimler, Paccar, Traton and Volvo between 2014 and 2040 will cause 320,000 people around the world to seek emergency care for their asthma, almost 90,000 children to be born prematurely and over 300,000 die for early death.
Olena Gruzieva, associate professor of epidemiology at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet, believes that the results are alarming:
– It is quite striking that so many cases of child asthma and early deaths can be linked to diesel exhaust. Children are particularly sensitive and risk impaired lung development.
Requires faster electrification
Olena Gruzieva believes that electrification of heavy transport must go faster, together with stricter emission rules and increased information to both the general public and decision makers. According to her, air pollution is a significant risk factor globally and that the rapid introduction of technical solutions into the truck area can reduce the most severe damage.
The Volvo Group emphasizes that a change to emission -free vehicles requires much more than just electric truck models, such as an improved charging infrastructure.
Need for green electricity
For the Volvo Group individually, emissions by 2040 are estimated to give up to 20,000 for early births, 75,000 acute asthma visits and 75,000 deaths.
– Of course, emissions are unwanted, and we have to change the system, says Claes Eliasson.
In order for this to become a reality, he emphasizes that, in addition to charging infrastructure, access to green electricity is also needed. Volvo also sees fuel cells and renewable fuels as important components to meet the needs of the future.