A major new report has exposed the severe health and economic consequences of diesel truck emissions, linking pollution from heavy-duty vehicles to 307,000 deaths and global health costs exceeding $1.4 trillion.
The study, Heavy-Duty Harm, conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), highlights the impact of diesel trucks from four major manufacturers, which together account for 39% of the global market. It warns that emissions from nearly eight million trucks sold between 2014 and 2023 will continue to drive serious health problems and economic losses until 2040.
A silent public health crisis
The report estimates that the lifetime emissions of these diesel trucks will contribute to tens of thousands of cases of asthma, heart disease, premature births, and preventable deaths, placing a major burden on individuals, businesses, and healthcare systems.
Dr Jamie Kelly, an air quality analyst at CREA, described the crisis as “invisible but deadly”, arguing that industry inaction is worsening the problem.
“Truck pollution is harming public health, slowing economic productivity, and deepening environmental injustice. The trucking industry is stalling progress while people are paying the price with their health,” Dr Kelly said.
CREA is calling for an urgent shift to zero-emission trucks, warning that without drastic action, the long-term costs of diesel pollution will continue to mount.
The scale of diesel truck emissions
Heavy-duty trucks make up just 3% of vehicles on the road, yet they are responsible for 30% of road transport CO₂ emissions and 86% of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions.
The report estimates that diesel trucks from just these four manufacturers alone will emit 6,466 kilotons of NOX between 2014 and 2040. These emissions contribute to air pollution that disproportionately affects children and vulnerable communities.
Among the most concerning health impacts are:
- 217,000 new cases of childhood asthma
- 321,000 emergency hospital visits
- 88,000 preterm births
- 62,000 underweight births
The economic burden of diesel truck pollution is staggering. The $1.4 trillion in health damages caused by emissions from these vehicles exceeds the GDP of Poland ($800 billion) and could instead fund large-scale electrification projects.
For example:
- In the US, an investment of $66 billion could support 1.4 million electric trucks by 2032.
- In Europe, €40 billion could drive large-scale electrification by 2040.
Call for urgent action
CREA is urging governments to introduce a zero-emission truck sales mandate by 2040 and end investment in polluting alternatives such as biofuels and hydrogen combustion.
“This is not just about climate—it’s about saving lives and protecting economies,” Dr Kelly said.
The report emphasises that a full-scale transition to zero-emission electric trucks is the only way to prevent further deaths and economic losses caused by diesel pollution.