Urban Air Pollution Trends and the Rise of Electric Vehicles in South Asia: A Case Study of Ludhiana

Authors

  • Harpreet Kaur Channi

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana 141006, India

    Eudoxia Research Centre, Eudoxia Research University, New Castle 19702,USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jasr.v8i3.11017
Received:14 May 2025 | Revised: 6 July 2025 | Accepted: 13 July 2025 | Published Online: 26 July 2025

Abstract

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is regarded as a key strategy for mitigating urban air pollution in rapidly developing regions like South Asia. However, the effects of EV penetration on various pollutants—especially secondary pollutants like ozone—remain complex and context-dependent. This study investigates pollutant trends in Ludhiana, India, from 2013 to 2025, focusing on NO₂, PM₂.₅, CO, and O₃ concentrations. Data were sourced from national monitoring agencies and NASA’s Aura/OMI satellite platform, while EV statistics were obtained from the Punjab Transport Department. Statistical methods, including regression and time-series decomposition, were used to explore pollutant dynamics in relation to EV trends. A decline in NO₂, PM₂.₅, and CO was observed over the study period. However, these trends likely reflect a combination of factors, including stricter emission norms, fuel quality upgrades, and broader regulatory interventions—alongside EV growth. Ozone displayed a nonlinear response, peaking mid-decade and declining thereafter, suggesting complex photochemical interactions. While EV integration may have contributed to reduced direct emissions, further studies incorporating source apportionment and real-time emissions data are necessary to isolate its specific impact. This study offers preliminary insights into the environmental dynamics of transport electrification in South Asian cities.

Keywords:

Electric Vehicles (EVs); Urban Air Quality; Tropospheric Ozone (O₃); PM₂.₅; Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂); CO Emissions; South Asia; Renewable Transportation

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How to Cite

Channi, H. K. (2025). Urban Air Pollution Trends and the Rise of Electric Vehicles in South Asia: A Case Study of Ludhiana. Journal of Atmospheric Science Research, 8(3), 128–141. https://doi.org/10.30564/jasr.v8i3.11017

Issue

Vol. 8 , Iss. 3 (July 2025):

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2025 Harpreet Kaur Channi

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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