Of all end-use sectors the transport sector accounts for more than a third of global CO2 emissions
Transportation, encompassing air, road, rail, and marine modes, is crucial to our society and economy. As economic growth drives up demand, the sector remains a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, heavily reliant on oil products like petrol and diesel. Transitioning to lower carbon fuels is challenging due to the current energy density needs that batteries and hydrogen can't fully meet. However, policies worldwide, including financial incentives for low-emission vehicles and future bans on petrol and diesel cars, are promoting change.
A transformation driven by electrification, shared mobility, and automation is underway. Electric vehicles, integrated with the energy system, offer smart charging opportunities to enhance grid management. This shift, supported by technological advances and market trends, presents chances for a more sustainable transport sector. Key changes include modal shift, behavioural adjustments, vehicle efficiency improvements, and the adoption of low carbon fuels and new business models.
Learn more about transport by exploring our Energy Insights.
For the latest news and articles on the transport sector read New Energy World.
View our dedicated Collection on Road Fuels.
0.0 %
of new car registrations in the UK were electric vehicles by the end of 2023 (Zapmap)
0
electric vehicle charging points as of September 2024 across the UK (Zapmap)
0.0 %
was the proportion of renewable fuel used for transport fuel in the UK in 2022 (Department of Transport)
0.0 %
of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 came from domestic transport (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
New Energy World stories
Technology – not feedstock – is key bottleneck to net zero aviation, trade body contends
1st October 2025
Its new study, published in partnership with Worley Consulting, argues that the world already has sufficient sustainable feedstock – biomass and power...
World’s first diesel shunting locomotive converted to hydrogen completes test run
1st October 2025
The locomotive’s diesel engine has been converted to be fuelled by hydrogen, which does not produce CO2. The trial aims to demonstrate how...
UK backs first EfW carbon capture project while new study highlights the sector’s net-negative potential
1st October 2025
The confirmation of government support for the Protos CCS project near Ellesmere Port in north-west England puts the plant on track to be operational ...
Scottish pipe maintenance trial sees gas replaced with hydrogen, just part of $110bn global investment in the low-carbon gas
17th September 2025
The SGN LTS Futures project focused on the UK’s high-pressure local transmission system (LTS) – an 11,600 km pipeline network that brings gas from the...
New EU platform to raise European green hydrogen production
10th September 2025
Stakeholders can register on the platform and subscribe to the EU Hydrogen Mechanism. The first round matching demand and supply is scheduled for this...
Technical guidance publications
EI 3589
Good plant design for CO2 stream impurity measurement
May 2025
As carbon capture and storage (CCS) moves from concept to large-scale deployment, ensuring the safe, efficient, and commercially viable operation of C...
EI 1535 Minimum criteria to determine acceptability of additives for use in multi-product pipelines co-transporting jet fuel
November 2024
The testing outlined in this publication is intended to provide risk management information for use in the assessment of new additives prior to their ...
EI 3560
Research report: Global activities in hydrogen development
June 2024
This report covers various developmental activities across the hydrogen value chain, encompassing production, transportation/distribution, storage, an...
EI 3564
Guidance on green and low carbon hydrogen production: plant design, construction, operation and maintenance, co-location and other considerations
June 2024
‘Hydrogen economy’ is an umbrella term used to describe the role that hydrogen plays in the broader economy, including as a fuel, as an energy carrier...
EI 3529
Guidance for UK hydrogen safety case development onshore and offshore
May 2023
The good practice guidance was commissioned by the EI’s Safety Case Working Group for operators who wish to produce, transport, and store hydrogen or ...