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 2024 (Zapmap)
0
electric vehicle charging points as of August 2025 across the UK (Zapmap)
0.0%
was the proportion of renewable fuels used for transport fuel in the UK in 2023 (Department of Transport)
0%
of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 came from domestic transport (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
New Energy World stories
Europe may need 65 ships to transport captured carbon by 2050
23rd June 2026
Europe could need a dedicated fleet of 65 ships and 33 ports by 2050 to transport captured carbon from industrial sites to offshore storage locations ...
EVs to top 25% of global car sales in 2026, but growth slows in key markets
23rd June 2026
In its latest Electric Vehicle Outlook, BNEF attributes the continued rise in sales to falling lithium-ion battery prices, the introduction of more af...
EU moves to standardise transport emissions reporting as plug-in hybrid gap widens
9th June 2026
The CountEmissionsEU framework establishes a single approach for cars and trucks aligned with international standard EN ISO 14083:2023, creating a sci...
Cement-sector carbon capture moves towards industrial deployment as infrastructure pressures grow
1st June 2026
The facility is expected to process up to 50,000 t/y of industrial residue while producing 125,000 tonnes of aggregate annually for use in infrastruct...
France publishes roadmap to phase out fossil fuels by 2050
11th May 2026
The 14-page strategy does not unveil any new commitments but consolidates existing French climate and energy policies into a single framework with def...
Technical guidance publications
EI 3609
Guidance for management of change when repurposing existing natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen
February 2026
As the energy sector transitions toward net zero, repurposing existing natural gas infrastructure to safely transport hydrogen and hydrogen–natural ga...
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...