Regan Brown
Cars have been powered by fossil fuels since the early 1900s, but the world is now transitioning to electric vehicles. In 2017, electric car sales in the US increased by nearly 30% to about 200,000 units, and by 2040, it is predicted that 54% of new car sales will be electric. However, electric cars are still manufactured objects that require electricity, which is often generated by the combustion of coal and natural gas. This article will explore how much fossil fuel cars use and the implications for the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by cars, light trucks, and motorcycles in 2013 | 58% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by other trucks | 23% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by aircraft | 8% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by boats and ships | 4% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by trains and buses | 3% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by pipelines | 4% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy consumption by biofuels in 2022 | 6% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy consumption by ethanol in 2022 | 4% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy consumption by biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other biofuels combined in 2022 | 2% |
| Percentage of total energy consumption by the U.S. transportation sector that comes from electricity | <1% |
| Percentage of total energy used by the U.S. each year for transportation | 28% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by fossil fuels in 2023 | 92% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by petroleum products in 2023 | 89% |
| Percentage of total U.S. transportation sector energy use by natural gas in 2023 | 5% |
| Percentage of global transportation fuel use by gasoline | Dominant |
| Percentage of global transportation fuel use by distillate fuels | Second-highest |
| Percentage of global transportation fuel use by jet fuel | Third-highest |
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What You'll Learn
Electric cars as an alternative
The use of conventional fossil-fuel vehicles in the transportation industry contributes to climate change. The combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel emits carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons. CO2, a greenhouse gas, can remain in the atmosphere for up to a century, trapping heat. In the United States, 92% of the energy used in the transportation sector comes from gasoline and diesel fuels, with cars, light trucks, and motorcycles accounting for 58% of this consumption in 2013.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil-fuel cars. They have several advantages, including reduced pollution, increased energy efficiency, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. EVs use approximately 87-91% of the energy from their batteries for propulsion, compared to gasoline vehicles, which only convert about 16-25% of energy from gasoline into movement. Additionally, advancements in EV and charger technologies have made them more accessible and attractive to consumers.
However, the integration of EVs into the market presents challenges. One concern is the impact on power grids, as charging numerous EVs simultaneously could strain the grid and potentially lead to issues like rolling blackouts. This challenge underscores the importance of strengthening and improving power grids to accommodate the increasing demand for electricity.
Another consideration is the environmental impact of battery manufacturing and power generation. While EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, the generation of electricity used to charge them may create carbon pollution, depending on the energy sources employed. Nevertheless, as renewable energy sources like wind and solar gain prominence, the carbon footprint associated with EV charging can be significantly reduced.
In conclusion, electric vehicles offer a compelling alternative to traditional fossil-fuel cars, particularly in addressing environmental concerns and energy efficiency. However, to fully realize the benefits of EVs, it is essential to address the challenges related to power grids and continue transitioning to renewable energy sources for electricity generation.
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Fossil fuels' impact on health and climate
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, have significant impacts on both human health and the climate. When burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, into the Earth's atmosphere. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels reached a record high in 2023, with a 1.1% increase from 2022 levels, resulting in a total of 36.8 billion metric tons of CO2 emitted. This rise in emissions is impeding efforts to limit global warming and climate change.
The combustion of fossil fuels contributes to air pollution, which has severe health consequences. The additives in gasoline, such as benzene and toluene, produce carcinogenic ultra-fine particles and aromatic hydrocarbons when burned. Globally, fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths. In the United States alone, 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 were attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution, with higher rates in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The health impacts of fossil fuel-generated electricity in the US result in an estimated annual cost of up to $886.5 billion. Additionally, communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by the environmental and health consequences of fossil fuel pollution.
The burning of fossil fuels leads to an increase in global temperatures, with coal being the single largest contributor to the rise in global temperatures among all fossil fuels. The average global temperature has already increased by 1°C, and global temperatures surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold for the first time in 2024. Continued warming above this level poses significant risks, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, species extinction, food scarcity, and worsening health and poverty for millions worldwide.
In the transportation sector, fossil fuels, particularly gasoline, remain the dominant fuel source. In 2023, petroleum products accounted for about 89% of the total US transportation sector energy use. However, the shift towards electric vehicles and alternative fuels, such as biofuels and renewable diesel, is gaining momentum, with biofuels contributing about 6% of the US transportation sector energy consumption in the same year.
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Gasoline and diesel fuel consumption
Gasoline and diesel are the most popular transportation fuels in the US, with gasoline being the more dominant of the two. In 2023, petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel, accounted for about 89% of the total US transportation sector energy use.
The US uses 28% of its total energy each year to move people and goods from one place to another. Cars, light trucks, and motorcycles consume the largest share of transportation energy, accounting for about 58% in 2013. The national average fuel economy for light-duty vehicles has improved over time due to fuel economy standards established by the federal government. However, total motor gasoline consumption for transportation has generally increased due to more vehicles on the road and an increase in the number of miles travelled per vehicle.
The average annual fuel use of a vehicle is affected by the average miles travelled per year and the fuel economy of the vehicle. For example, Class 8 trucks, which travel long distances with heavy loads, consume the most fuel on average compared to any other vehicle type. Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than similar-sized gasoline engines, with diesel fuel containing roughly 10-15% more energy than gasoline. As a result, diesel vehicles can go about 20-35% farther on a gallon of fuel than gasoline vehicles.
While powering engines, the combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel emits carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons. These emissions have long-lasting effects on the environment, with CO2 functioning as a heat-trapping greenhouse gas for up to a century or more. Efforts are being made to find alternatives to oil, such as biofuels, but these options have their limitations.
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Biofuels and other alternatives
The transportation sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with gasoline and diesel fuels accounting for 92% of the energy used. This has led to a growing interest in alternative fuels like biofuels, which are renewable and can be produced from biomass, including plant, algae, and animal waste matter. In 2015, biofuels provided about 4.9% of the nation's transportation fuel, mainly as ethanol added to gasoline. In 2022, biofuels consumption in the US accounted for about 6% of the total transportation sector energy consumption, with ethanol making up about 4% and biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other biofuels accounting for 2%.
Biofuels have the potential to replace fossil fuels and are considered more environmentally friendly as they emit lower levels of greenhouse gases. They can be produced from a wide range of feedstock, including edible crops like sugarcane and vegetable oil, as well as non-edible materials like agricultural and animal waste. However, one challenge with first-generation biofuels, which are produced from edible crops, is the competition for land with food production, which can drive up costs and contribute to food shortages. Additionally, the infrastructure required to integrate widespread use of biofuels is costly.
Another alternative to fossil fuels is electricity, which can be produced from fossil carbon, nuclear, or renewable sources. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular and can be powered by electricity from the grid, which is increasingly coming from low-CO2 energy sources. However, the adoption of electric vehicles still faces barriers, such as the need for additional infrastructure and consumer incentives.
Ammonia is another alternative fuel that can be blended with other fuels, especially diesel, to reduce CO2 and NOx emissions. LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, is a by-product of the hydrocarbon fuel chain and is a low-carbon alternative that emits significantly less CO2 and almost no black carbon, improving indoor and outdoor air quality.
While these alternatives to fossil fuels show promise, there are still challenges to their widespread adoption, including the need for infrastructure development, consumer acceptance, and cost considerations.
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The future of fossil-fuel cars
The transportation sector is a major contributor to this issue, with the United States, for example, using 28% of its total energy for transportation annually. Cars, light trucks, and motorcycles account for the largest share of transportation energy consumption, and 92% of this energy comes from gasoline and diesel fuels. The combustion of these fossil fuels emits not only CO2 but also particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons, all of which have negative health and environmental consequences.
In recognition of these challenges, many countries and cities have announced plans to ban the sale of fossil-fuel-powered passenger vehicles, including cars and buses, in the future. This approach offers a simpler compliance target for governments compared to a carbon tax or a phased transition away from fossil fuels. Additionally, some cities are creating zero-emission zones as another method of phasing out these vehicles. To adapt to these impending bans, the automotive industry is working to introduce electric vehicles, although there is some opposition to this transition due to the large proportion of urban land required for infrastructure and the limitations of current battery technology.
While the future of fossil-fuel cars appears to be limited, the transition to alternative energy sources, such as electric vehicles, is complex and faces significant challenges. The current rate of adding carbon-free electricity globally is far below the estimated requirement to prevent temperatures from rising more than 2°C. Moreover, the increased use of electric vehicles will further increase the demand for electricity, exacerbating the challenges of transforming the energy system away from fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2013, cars, light trucks, and motorcycles consumed about 58% of the energy used in the transportation sector in the United States. In 2022, biofuels accounted for about 6% of the US transportation sector's energy consumption, while petroleum products accounted for about 89% in 2023.
The US uses 28% of its total energy each year for its transportation sector.
Fossil fuels are fuels made from the remains of dead plants and animals. They include coal, oil, and gas.
It is estimated that fossil fuel-powered cars will be on the road until 2040-2050. This is due to the high cost of buying a new electric car and the longevity of existing cars.
