Persistent Environmental\nInjustice due to Brake and\nTire Wear Emissions and Heavy-Duty Trucks in Future California Zero-Emission\nFleets

The adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) offers\nmultiple benefits\nfor the climate, air quality, and public health by reducing tailpipe\nemissions. However, the environmental justice implications of the\nnonexhaust emissions from future ZEV fleets for near-roadway communities\nremain unclear. Here, we model the on-road fine particulate matter\n(PM<sub>2.5</sub>) emissions across all California counties and assess\nthe near-roadway exposure disparities at the census block group level\nin the Los Angeles County in 2050, when almost all passenger vehicles\nare projected to be ZEVs. We found that promoting zero-emission heavy-duty\ntrucks generates more air quality benefits for disadvantaged communities\nthan light-duty passenger vehicles. Persistent disparities in near-roadway\nPM<sub>2.5</sub> levels, however, exist due to the remaining brake\nand tire wear emissions and increased truck traffic in disadvantaged\ncommunities. We recommend implementing fleet-specific ZEV policies\nto address brake and tire wear emissions and optimizing freight structures\nto address these persistent environmental justice issues in California.