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?
UK government confirms £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan amid criticism of retrofit policy failures
18th June 2025
The £13.2bn of funding for the Warm Homes Plan was originally promised as part of the Labour government’s manifesto. Reeves confirmed the full funding...
Two more CCS projects win UK backing, while global investment soars and offshore innovation takes off
18th June 2025
UK government backs CCS with £9.4bn of new fundingThe UK government has reaffirmed its support for carbon capture and storage (CCS), alloc...
UK cuts red tape for EV chargers, but reports warn of inequality and urgent tech investment needs
11th June 2025
The UK government cuts red tape for chargepoint installations The UK government has confirmed that drivers and businesses will no...
Europe’s largest e-fuels plant has opened and the SAF market is taking off in the Americas
11th June 2025
Europe’s largest e-fuel production plant enters operation in FrankfurtGerman cleantech innovator INERATEC has officially launched ERA ONE,...
Global energy investment is set to rise to $3.3tn in 2025 amid economic uncertainty and energy security concerns
11th June 2025
Investment in clean technologies – renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emission fuels, efficiency and electrification – is on course to hit $2.2t...
Events and training
Human Factors Foundation - October 2025
6th October 2025 - 10th October 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
14th October 2025 - 16th October 2025
This 3-day interactive classroom course with certificate, will teach delegates the fundamentals of improving safety culture using the award-winning He...
Reservoir Microbiology Forum (RMF)
19th November 2025 - 20th November 2025
Now open for abstracts - submit your entry by 27 June for the opportunity to present at this event.Submit entryThe RMF is an excellent multi-disciplin...
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 ...