A new study warns that electric vehicle fast-charging stations may pose hidden health risks by raising local air pollution levels.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) measured fine particle concentrations (PM2.5) at 50 charging sites in Los Angeles County and found levels ranging from 7.3 to 39 micrograms per cubic metre—about double those in nearby streets without chargers. The culprit is not the electricity itself but the cooling fans inside charging cabinets, which blow out trapped dust, tyre fragments, and brake debris into the air around waiting drivers.
Professor Yifang Zhu of UCLA said no amount of fine particle exposure is safe, noting that particles this small can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory problems.
