UK’s EV plans dealt blow as switch to electric cars could increase traffic congestion

The map allowed the research team to explore interactions and unexpected effects in the transport industry, including how carbon emissions, air quality, health and equitable access to mobility are connected.

The evidence they found was the people who owned electrics cars drove more often than those with fossil fuel cars, even for short trips where normally might have walked, cycled, or taken a bus. 

Dr Penn said: “Our modelling work showed that the resulting increase in traffic and congestion from a switch to electric cars could cause negative knock-on effects on the reliability and financial viability of public transport, access to affordable transport, pleasantness and livability of neighbourhoods, and levels of active travel, and health as well.”

While EVs are touted as the solution to air pollution, researchers found that there could be an increasing in particulate pollution from tyres and brakes, due to increased traffic.

READ MORE: Britishvolt vows to keep the UK’s EV dreams alive

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1692499/uk-ev-plans-dealt-blow-switch-electric-cars-traffic-congestion-science