NOx, Particulates and Other Pollutants Pollution from burning fossil fuels leads to eight million premature deaths globally each year According to recently published research in Environmental Research by Harvard University, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester and University College London, air pollution causes over eight million premature Pollution in the Italian Alps prior to stay-at-home orders deaths annually. That is double the previous estimate of deaths from the negative effects of fine-particle pollution and would account for one-in-five premature deaths worldwide. This is a major advantage of EVs that is often forgotten about as the overall EV debate tends to focus on greenhouse gases. EVs are not just about the future of our planet, but very much about addressing preventable deaths today. While air-quality is often categorized as a problem in developing countries, Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other PM2.5 particulates* cause significant issues in developed countries as well. In Europe alone, almost 800,000 people die prematurely every year due to pollution-related illnesses. EVs not only reduce the world's total carbon footprint, but also help to reduce city pollution. Lockdowns have shown how clean cities could look Cities around the world are gradually setting targets for banning diesel vehicles, which are known for their high NOx and particulate emissions. We have seen throughout the first half of 2020 that air quality can rapidly improve with the reduction of ICE-related traffic as the restrictions on business and travel due to COVID-19 led to dramatically fewer miles being driven. It is not hard to imagine that many cities could become electric-only in the near future as they were able to witness the positive impact that fewer ICE vehicles on the road has on air quality. Pollution in the Italian Alps during COVID-19 lockdowns *PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers and include combustion particles, organic compounds, metals, etc. Image: Flavio Lo Scalzo/Reuters 23