Helena Joyce
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. The burning of gasoline and diesel leads to the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and smog-forming pollutants. While newer vehicles tend to emit less pollution due to improved fuel efficiency and alternative fuels, the growing popularity of larger vehicles and increased driving distances have offset these gains. Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction as a cleaner alternative, but their environmental impact depends on the energy sources used for charging. Overall, transportation contributes significantly to global carbon dioxide emissions, with the sector accounting for approximately 31% of total energy-related CO2 emissions in the United States in 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector in 2023 | 31% (about 1,489 million metric tons) |
| Percentage of total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from motor gasoline consumption in 2023 | 22% (about 1,033 million metric tons) |
| Percentage of total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from diesel fuel consumption in 2023 | 9% (about 455 million metric tons) |
| Percentage of total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector in 2019 | 28% |
| Percentage of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the US in 2019 from mobile sources, including non-transportation sources | 32% |
| Percentage of total EU CO2 emissions from the transport sector in 2019 | 25% |
| Percentage of total EU road transport CO2 emissions from passenger cars | 61% |
| Percentage of new passenger cars in 2021 that were electric | 17.8% |
| Percentage of total EU road transport fuel used that was diesel in 2019 | 67% |
| Percentage of total EU road transport fuel used that was petrol in 2019 | 25% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions reduction target for cars in 2030 | 55% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions reduction target for vans in 2030 | 50% |
| Percentage of all CO emissions in cities that come from cars | Up to 95% |
| Percentage of air pollution caused by cars near major highways | Higher than in urban areas |
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What You'll Learn
Electric vehicles (EVs) emit less pollution
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. In the United States, the transportation sector emitted approximately 1,489 million metric tons (MMmt) of CO2 from gasoline and diesel consumption in 2023, accounting for about 31% of the nation's total energy-related CO2 emissions.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. EVs do not have a tailpipe and are equipped with an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. As a result, they do not produce any tailpipe emissions, which are a significant source of air pollution. EVs emit zero exhaust emissions, improving air quality and reducing the health impacts of car pollution.
While generating the electricity used to charge EVs can create carbon pollution, the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with EVs are typically lower than those of gasoline cars. The carbon pollution from charging EVs depends on the energy sources used for electricity generation. In areas with relatively low-polluting energy sources, such as renewable resources like wind or solar power, EVs have a significant life cycle emissions advantage over conventional vehicles. Conversely, in regions with higher-emissions electricity sources, such as coal or natural gas, the life cycle emissions benefit of EVs may be less pronounced.
Research indicates that as the electricity grid becomes cleaner, EVs become cleaner too. With the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, the total greenhouse gases associated with EVs are expected to decrease further. Additionally, EVs can be charged at off-peak times, such as overnight, when rates are often cheaper, and there is sufficient capacity to cover the increasing number of EVs entering the market.
Overall, electric vehicles emit less pollution than traditional gasoline-powered cars, particularly in terms of tailpipe and exhaust emissions. The adoption of EVs is a critical step towards reducing emissions and achieving climate targets, such as net-zero goals.
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Gasoline fumes escape into the air
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. In 2019, mobile sources constituted 32% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, including emissions from non-transportation sources. The transportation sector in the US emitted approximately 1,489 million metric tons of CO2 from gasoline and diesel consumption in 2023, representing about 31% of the nation's total energy-related CO2 emissions.
Gasoline is a dangerous substance that can produce flammable vapors, even during everyday use. Gasoline fumes can escape into the air, even when pumping gasoline into fuel tanks. These fumes are heavier than the air around them, so they can collect in low places and cause a fire hazard. This is why it is important to follow safety precautions, such as turning off your vehicle and not smoking, when refueling your car.
Modern vehicles are more fuel-efficient, which helps to lower CO2 emissions per mile. However, the growing popularity of gas-guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks, as well as the increasing number of miles driven, offsets much of this progress. Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars are cleaner alternatives that can help reduce emissions, but the number of cars on the road continues to be a significant factor in air pollution.
Gasoline fumes contain harmful chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, that can cause serious health issues. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly when inhaled in high concentrations or for prolonged periods. Inhalation of gasoline vapors can irritate the lungs and damage organs, and some chemicals can enter the bloodstream and affect the body's ability to move oxygen to tissues. Exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide can affect critical organs like the heart and brain.
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California transport sector: 39% of emissions
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. When cars burn gasoline, they emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas, and carbon monoxide can affect critical organs such as the heart and brain. Particulate matter can damage the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
In California, the transportation sector is the biggest source of carbon emissions, accounting for about 39% of total emissions in the state. This includes about 50% of the state's greenhouse gas emissions, 80% of nitrogen oxide pollution, and 90% of diesel particulate matter pollution. The largest sources of emissions within California's transportation sector are cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, which run predominantly on gasoline and accounted for 59% of transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. Medium and heavy-duty trucks, which mostly burn diesel fuel, were responsible for 23% of emissions, while airplanes were responsible for 9%.
California has implemented several policies and initiatives to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. The state has invested in cleaner transportation technologies, electric vehicle charging stations, and hydrogen refueling stations. The California Energy Commission provides about $100 million each year to develop and deploy low-carbon fuels and infrastructure for zero and near-zero emission vehicles through the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP). The School Bus Replacement Program aims to replace old diesel school buses with zero-emission school buses, reducing students' exposure to toxic diesel exhaust.
Transitioning to low-carbon fuels and zero or near-zero emission technologies is critical to achieving California's climate change goals and clean air standards. The state has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, and reports have outlined policy options that could lead to a zero-carbon transportation system by that year. However, achieving this goal will require key policy interventions and major investments in electricity and hydrogen infrastructure.
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US transport sector: 31% of emissions
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. In 2023, the US transportation sector emitted approximately 1,489 million metric tons (MMmt) of CO2 from gasoline and diesel consumption. This represented about 31% of the nation's total energy-related CO2 emissions. This figure includes emissions from cars, trucks, and buses.
The US transportation sector's emissions are primarily composed of carbon dioxide (CO2) and air pollution. CO2 is the principal greenhouse gas (GHG), and it is released when gasoline and other fossil fuels are burned. Every gallon of gasoline burned releases about 20 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere, where it remains for thousands of years. The higher the level of CO2 in the atmosphere, the higher the global mean temperature. This has led to warming land and ocean temperatures, resulting in more severe storms, droughts, and other weather events.
In addition to CO2, vehicles emit other pollutants that can have significant health impacts. These include carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter, and other toxins. These pollutants can cause a range of health issues, including cancer, asthma, eye irritation, poisoning, heart disease, and birth defects.
To address these issues, the US government has implemented regulations such as the Clean Air Act and fuel economy standards to reduce vehicle emissions. The EPA has also introduced programs like SmartWay to help improve supply chain efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases in the freight transportation sector. Consumers can also play a role by choosing more fuel-efficient vehicles, driving less, carpooling, or using public transportation.
The transportation sector's contribution to emissions is not limited to the US. In the EU, transport was responsible for about a quarter of total CO2 emissions in 2019, with road transportation accounting for 71.7%. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming an increasingly popular alternative, as they do not emit tailpipe emissions. However, the production and disposal of electric cars can have environmental impacts, and the level of emissions depends on how the electricity used to power them is produced. Overall, the US transportation sector's emissions are a significant contributor to climate change and air pollution, and efforts are being made to reduce these emissions through policy, technology, and consumer choices.
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EU transport sector: 25% of emissions
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. When cars burn gasoline, they emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. These emissions have various negative impacts on the environment and human health. While electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels have been introduced to reduce vehicle emissions, the increasing number of vehicles on the road continues to offset these improvements.
In the context of the EU transport sector, a 2024 report by Clean Technica revealed that over 25% of road traffic emissions come from this sector in Europe. Heavy-duty vehicles, including buses and coaches, are responsible for the majority of these emissions. The transport sector has been decarbonizing at a slower rate than other sectors, and if this trend continues, it will account for nearly half of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This projection highlights the urgent need for additional measures to fully decarbonize the sector.
Several factors contribute to the high emissions from the EU transport sector. Firstly, the proliferation of e-commerce and home delivery services has led to a significant increase in the number of trucks on the road, resulting in higher CO2 emissions within the haulage industry. Secondly, aviation emissions have doubled over the past three decades, with aviation contrails further amplifying the climate impact of flying. Additionally, the share of diesel used in road transport has been rising, and oil consumption by the transport sector needs to decrease significantly to meet the objective of reducing consumption by 70% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
To address these challenges, T&E has suggested several measures. These include halting new airport and motorway expansions to curb transport demand, implementing ambitious EV sales targets, and improving the efficiency of shipping and road transport through electrification and the use of green fuels. While there has been some progress in reducing emissions from newly registered passenger cars and vans, more significant reductions are needed to meet future targets. For example, emissions will need to decrease by almost 20% for new passenger cars and by more than 11% for vans to achieve the targets set for 2020 and 2021.
In conclusion, the EU transport sector is a significant contributor to emissions, currently accounting for 25% of road traffic emissions in Europe. Without additional measures and accelerated decarbonization, the sector is projected to become an even larger source of emissions, posing a threat to Europe's net-zero goals. Implementing the suggested measures and continuing to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and alternative fuels can help mitigate the impact of the transport sector on the environment and human health.
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Frequently asked questions
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution. In 2023, the US transportation sector emitted approximately 1,489 million metric tons of CO2 from gasoline and diesel consumption, accounting for about 31% of total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
In the EU, transport was responsible for about a quarter of total CO2 emissions in 2019, with road transportation accounting for 71.7% of this figure. Passenger cars are a major polluter, making up 61% of total CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU.
Motor vehicles emit a range of pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions contribute to climate change and can have negative impacts on human health, causing health issues such as cancer, asthma, eye irritation, and heart disease.
