Environmental and health impacts of banning passenger cars with internal combustion engines: A case study of Leeds, UK

Governments worldwide are considering banning the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to address environmental and public health issues. However, the environmental and health impacts of banning ICEV sales remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of banning ICEV sales under various implementation timelines on PM₂.₅ and NOₓ emissions in Leeds, UK, and the associated premature deaths, using a novel ’Fleet-Emission-Health’ model. The results showed that the earlier ban on ICEV sales led to an almost 100% reduction in NOₓ by 2040, whereas total PM₂.₅ increased slightly due to more non-exhaust PM₂.₅ emissions emitted from battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Moreover, banning ICEV sales in 2030 would avoid 28 deaths in Leeds in 2040 compared to those in 2022, due to the reduction of NOₓ and PM₂.₅ emissions from ICEV exhaust. The findings indicate that stricter regulations on non-exhaust emissions are necessary to mitigate environmental and public health effects.