Ameer Randolph
Flying is often deemed an environmentally detrimental mode of transport, with private jets in particular attracting criticism. However, research suggests that air travel may be more fuel-efficient than driving. This is a surprising revelation, given the carbon-intensive nature of both forms of transport. So, are planes less fuel-efficient than cars?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel efficiency of planes vs cars | Researchers at the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found that flying is more fuel-efficient than driving unless a car carries more than one passenger or gets 33.8 gallons per mile. |
| Fuel efficiency improvement over time | The airline industry has made significant progress in reducing fuel consumption. For example, in 1985, it took more than two gallons of fuel to move one passenger 60 miles, and now that number is below 1.3 gallons. Similarly, in 1970, it took 10,185 BTUs to move a person a mile in an airplane, compared to 5,067 BTUs for a car, but by 2012, flying required just 2,033 BTUs compared to 4,211 BTUs for driving. |
| Fuel efficiency and cost savings for airlines | Fuel can account for 30-35% of an airline's costs, providing a strong incentive to reduce fuel consumption. For example, a new 787 plane can be 15-30% more fuel-efficient than the plane it replaces. |
| Fuel efficiency and environmental impact | Cars and trucks are responsible for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while the aviation sector accounts for 2-3%. |
| Fuel efficiency of electric vehicles | Electric-powered planes and cars are considered more environmentally friendly, but the total carbon footprint should consider fuel extraction and other factors. |
| Fuel efficiency of specific models | A Boeing 787-9 burns about 5400 liters of fuel per hour at a cruising speed of 900km/h, resulting in 600 liters/100km. In comparison, a modern family-size vehicle uses about 8 liters/100km, or 2 liters/100km per person with four people inside. |
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What You'll Learn
- Carrying more passengers in cars can make them as fuel-efficient as planes
- The aviation industry has made great strides in cutting down fuel use
- Cars have become more fuel-efficient, but not as much as planes
- Planes are more fuel-efficient per person per mile than cars
- Electric-powered planes and cars are better for the environment
Carrying more passengers in cars can make them as fuel-efficient as planes
While most people assume that driving is better for the environment than flying, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, travelling by car in the US uses more than double the energy required to fly, unless you drive a hybrid car or carry more than one passenger.
According to researchers at the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute, new planes are more fuel-efficient than cars unless the car in question gets 33.8 gallons per mile or carries more than one passenger. The study's author, Michael Sivak, notes that fuel economy in cars would need to improve by 57% from its 2012 average of 23.8 miles per gallon to match the current energy efficiency of commercial airline flights. Alternatively, Sivak suggests that cars could be made more efficient by carrying at least 2.3 people, up from the current average of 1.38.
This trend towards higher-occupancy vehicles is already beginning to happen with the rise of car-sharing and ride-sharing services. While flying is becoming more fuel-efficient, so too are cars, and any car that gets more than 44.7 miles per gallon is more efficient than a plane. However, the average car in the US is over 11 years old, so it will take time for more efficient models to be widely adopted.
In addition to the environmental benefits of flying, it is also worth considering the financial implications. Fuel can account for 30-35% of an airline's costs, so companies have a strong motivation to reduce their fuel consumption. As a result, airlines have been pressuring manufacturers to produce more fuel-efficient planes, and newer models can be up to 30% more fuel-efficient than the planes they replace. Therefore, while carrying more passengers in cars can make them as fuel-efficient as planes, it is important to consider the other factors that influence the efficiency of these modes of transport.
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The aviation industry has made great strides in cutting down fuel use
The aviation industry has indeed made significant progress in reducing its fuel consumption. This is partly driven by economic incentives, as fuel can account for 30-35% of an airline's costs.
One of the main ways in which the aviation industry has cut down on fuel use is by operating newer planes with more efficient engines. For example, the new 787 plane is anywhere from 15-30% more fuel-efficient than the plane it is replacing. In addition, airlines are taking every opportunity to get more miles out of their aircraft. As a result, the number of gallons of fuel needed to move one passenger 60 miles has decreased from over two gallons in 1985 to less than 1.3 gallons today.
The aviation industry has also been working to improve the fuel economy of new model aircraft. For example, in 2023, the average fuel economy of US commercial carriers in terms of available seat-miles per gallon increased to 65.5 seat-miles per gallon, up from 64.9 seat-miles per gallon in 2019. This trend is expected to continue, with the standard for new model aircraft not expected to change current projections of CO2 emissions for the industry.
Policy and fiscal support have also played a role in the aviation industry's efforts to reduce fuel consumption. For example, the EU Emissions Trading System is being amended to phase out allowances for the aviation industry by 2027, and the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative mandates minimum SAF blend-in shares and sets targets for the adoption of synthetic fuels. Individual countries have also taken action, with France, Norway, and Sweden implementing SAF blending mandates and the United Kingdom dedicating GBP 180 million to support SAF projects.
The aviation industry has also set ambitious goals for reducing its climate impact. For example, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has adopted a long-term aspirational goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050. While this agreement is currently non-binding, it demonstrates the industry's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
In conclusion, the aviation industry has made great strides in cutting down fuel use through a combination of economic incentives, technological advancements, policy support, and ambitious climate goals. While there is still much work to be done, the industry's efforts to reduce fuel consumption are encouraging and are expected to have a positive impact on the environment.
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Cars have become more fuel-efficient, but not as much as planes
While most people believe that driving a car is more environmentally friendly than flying in a plane, this is not necessarily true. Although cars have become more fuel-efficient in recent years, planes have made even greater progress in cutting down fuel use.
In 1970, flying was twice as energy-intensive as driving, with fuel consumption per passenger-mile twice that of an average car trip. However, since then, the airline industry has made significant strides, reducing BTUs per passenger-mile by 74% compared to only 17% for automakers. This improvement is due to airlines' focus on reducing their use of expensive jet fuel, as well as the introduction of newer planes with better engines. As a result, by 2012, driving one person one mile took 4,211 BTUs, while flying required just 2,033 BTUs.
Cars have become more fuel-efficient, but the progress has not been as substantial as that of planes. For instance, in his study, Michael Sivak found that vehicles would need to achieve more than 33.8 miles per gallon to be less fuel-intensive than air travel. While some cars, like the 2012 Honda Civic, can reach 39 miles per gallon on the highway, the average light-duty vehicle in the US gets about 21.5 miles per gallon. This means that cars would need to improve their fuel economy by 57% to match the energy efficiency of commercial airline flights.
Additionally, the number of passengers in a car can impact its fuel efficiency. According to Sivak, increasing the number of people in a car to 2.3 would make it as efficient as a plane. However, with the advancements in flight efficiency, an even higher number of passengers may be needed to achieve the same level of efficiency as a plane.
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Planes are more fuel-efficient per person per mile than cars
While most people believe that driving a car is more environmentally friendly than flying in a plane, this is not necessarily true. In fact, planes are more fuel-efficient per person per mile than cars.
Michael Sivak, a research professor at the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute, analysed data on passenger movements over 40 years. He calculated the amount of BTUs (British thermal units) needed to move a person one mile on a plane compared to a car. In 1970, it took 10,185 BTUs to move a person a mile in an airplane, compared to 5,067 BTUs for a car—making flying twice as energy-intensive as driving. However, by 1985, airline travel had improved, consuming only 4,950 BTUs per passenger mile, less than half the 1970 amount. Car travel also became more efficient, but not as significantly.
According to Sivak's study, the average light-duty vehicle in the US gets about 21.5 miles per gallon. For cars to be less fuel-intensive than air travel, they would need to achieve over 33.8 miles per gallon. Only cars with extremely high fuel efficiency, such as the 2012 Honda Civic, which gets 39 miles per gallon, can compete with planes in terms of fuel efficiency.
Furthermore, the aviation industry has made remarkable progress in reducing fuel consumption. In 1985, it took more than two gallons of fuel to move one passenger 60 miles. Now, that number is below 1.3 gallons. Airlines are motivated to reduce fuel consumption due to the high cost of jet fuel, and they have invested in newer planes with better engines and more fuel-efficient designs. As a result, planes have become more fuel-efficient per person per mile than cars.
While it is important to note that both forms of transportation are carbon-intensive, the perception that driving is always more environmentally friendly than flying is not accurate. The efficiency of air travel is further improved when planes are fully occupied, as they often are, resulting in fewer empty seats. Therefore, planes are more fuel-efficient per person per mile than cars, despite the common belief to the contrary.
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Electric-powered planes and cars are better for the environment
Electric-powered cars are better for the environment than traditional cars. While electric cars are not zero-emissions vehicles, they are consistently better for the environment in terms of CO2 emissions than the average new gasoline vehicle. The margin is also expected to grow as electricity generation shifts to cleaner sources. In addition, electric cars have zero local emissions, and they are more energy-efficient than traditional cars.
However, the creation of large lithium-ion batteries for electric cars is a source of emissions. The mining and heating of the minerals used in these batteries, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, require the use of fossil fuels. As a result, building a new electric car can produce around 80% more emissions than building a comparable gas-powered car.
Nevertheless, electric cars are still a better choice for the environment. The EPA calculates that the average new gasoline vehicle is responsible for 404 grams of greenhouse gas emissions per mile, while electric vehicles produce lower emissions regardless of the region. The EPA's calculations also take into account the reality that while electric cars emit no carbon dioxide on the road, the energy stored in their batteries has to be generated somewhere.
Electric-powered planes are also better for the environment than traditional planes. The aviation industry has made significant progress in cutting down fuel use. Airlines are highly motivated to reduce their fuel consumption because it accounts for 30-35% of their total spending. As a result, they have been pressuring manufacturers to create more fuel-efficient planes and operating newer planes with better engines.
In conclusion, electric-powered planes and cars are better for the environment than their traditional counterparts. While there are some emissions associated with electric vehicles, particularly in the manufacturing process, the overall impact on the environment is reduced due to their improved energy efficiency and lower emissions during use.
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Frequently asked questions
No, planes are more fuel-efficient than cars. In the US, travelling by car uses more than double the energy needed to fly. Unless you drive a car that gets 33.8 gallons per mile or carry more than one passenger, planes are more fuel-efficient.
The airline industry has made significant progress in cutting down fuel use. In 1970, it took 10,185 BTUs to move a person a mile in an airplane, compared to 5,067 BTUs for a car. By 1985, airline travel consumed 4,950 BTUs per passenger mile, less than half the 1970 amount. Now, it takes less than 1.3 gallons of fuel to move one passenger 60 miles.
Let's consider a route from Amsterdam to New York. A Volkswagen Golf, which is an average mid-size car, would consume 284.5 liters of fuel for this trip. A Boeing 787-9, on the other hand, would burn 144.4 liters of jet fuel per passenger, assuming 290 passengers with baggage. This means that the plane's fuel consumption per passenger is similar to driving with 2 persons in the car for this particular route.
