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)
What's new?
Making solar projects cheaper and faster with portable factories
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US-company Charge Robotics is developing solar installation factories to speed up the process of building large-scale solar farms. The company’s facto...
CCC calls for an 87% cut in UK GHG emissions by 2040
5/3/2025
The Seventh Carbon Budget, covering the period 2030 to 2042, recommends a limit of 535mn tCO2e, including emissions from aviation and shipping. This f...
Solar-powered reactor converts atmospheric CO2 into syngas
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Clean Industrial Deal: EU unveils plan to drive competitiveness and decarbonisation
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The Clean Industrial Deal seeks to provide long-term certainty for businesses, ensuring Europe remains on course to becoming a fully decarbonised econ...
Global investment in the energy transition in 2024 exceeded $2tn for the first time, but the pace of growth has slowed
12/2/2025
Electrified transport remained the largest investment driver, reaching $757bn in 2024, finds the analysis. This figure includes spending on passenger ...
Events and training
Delivering Safety Culture Change using the Hearts and Minds Toolkit - May 2025
20/5/2025 - 22/5/2025
This 3-day interactive classroom course with certificate, will teach delegates the fundamentals of improving safety culture using the award-winning He...
Human Factors Foundation - October 2025
6/10/2025 - 10/10/2025
This 5-day course delivers a comprehensive introduction into human factors for non-specialists. It provides a practical, engaging and interactive back...
Delivering Safety Culture Change using the Hearts and Minds Toolkit - October 2025
14/10/2025 - 16/10/2025
This 3-day interactive classroom course with certificate, will teach delegates the fundamentals of improving safety culture using the award-winning He...
Technical guidance publications
Health Technical Information Sheets
February 2025
Health technical information sheet 1: Individual health risk assessmentsIntroductionHealth risk assessments are carried out to determine the risk of a...
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 usein the assessment of new additives prior to their a...
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 ...