Transportation emits billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every year. These gases primarily come from the burning of petroleum-based fuels, such as diesel and gasoline, in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Since 1970, transportation emissions have almost tripled due to growing populations and economies. The sector now accounts for 20 percent of global CO₂ emissions and is the second-largest carbon-polluting sector worldwide. Within the category of transportation road travel accounts for approximately three-quarters of transport emissions, contributive are primarily passenger vehicles, followed by trucks carrying freight and rail contributing only a little. Aviation and and shipping contributes the latter 25%, at equal levels.

Transport demand is expected to grow across the world in the coming decades as the global population increases, incomes rise, and more people can afford cars, trains and flights. In its Energy Technology Perspectives report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects global transport (measured in passenger-kilometers) to double, car ownership rates to increase by 60%, and demand for passenger and freight aviation to triple by 2070.2 Combined, these factors would result in a large increase in transport emissions.

But major technological innovations can help offset this rise in demand. As the world shifts towards lower-carbon electricity sources, the rise of electric vehicles offers a viable option to reduce emissions from passenger vehicles. This is already happening. The switch to zero-emission vehicles must go hand in hand with a comprehensive infrastructure for sustainable fuels. EU MEPs want electric charging areas for cars at least once every 60 kilometres along main EU roads by 2026 and hydrogen refuelling stations every 100 kilometres by 2028.

Meanwhile, CO2 emissions from long-distance road freight (large trucks), aviation and shipping may be more difficult to eliminate. EU goals are to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels where using cooking oil, synthetic fuel or hydrogen should gradually become the norm for aviation fuel and by 2050 70% all aviation fuel in EU airports should be sustainable. Also, goals are set for the maritime sector to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships by 2% as of 2025, 14.5% as of 2035 and 80% as of 2050 compared to 2020 levels. The cuts should apply to ships over a gross tonnage of 5,000, which account for 90% of CO2 emissions. For long-haul transportation, truck suppliers are preparing for future solutions to be fueled by hydrogen and methanol. Critical to this, a comprehensive infrastructure for sustainable fuels will need to come into place.

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Our vast knowhow tap into the main trends in the green transition, including the potentials around transportation as the X in PtX. We collaborate with renewables suppliers in both funded projects as innovation partner or as a trusted consultancy partner.