Katerina Swanson
The transportation sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with cars and trucks significantly contributing to this consumption. In the United States, 98% of vehicles run on petroleum or diesel fuels, translating to about 13 million barrels of oil used daily for transportation. While electric vehicles are gaining traction, with nearly 9% of new car sales worldwide in 2021 being electric, the vast majority of cars still use fossil fuels. This trend is changing, with countries like Norway, France, the UK, and China implementing policies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce the use of fossil fuels in the transportation sector.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of energy that comes from burning fossil fuels | Over 80% |
| Percentage of fossil fuel used for farm use and for road, rail, air, and sea transportation | 29% |
| Percentage of US energy use that is for transportation | 29% |
| Percentage of transportation fuel that is from crude oil | 89% |
| Percentage of transportation fuel that is from natural gas | 3% |
| Percentage of transportation fuel that is from biofuels | 5% |
| Percentage of US crude oil use that is for farms and for road and rail transportation | 62% |
| Percentage of oil used for transportation and heating | 76% |
| Percentage of crude oil that is combusted | 93% |
| Percentage of cars that are electric worldwide | 9% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions reduced by electric vehicles | 64% |
| Percentage of energy use that is reduced by electric vehicles | 58% |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric vehicles (EVs) produce no tailpipe emissions
- Fossil fuel cars waste hundreds of times more raw material than electric cars
- Fossil fuel vehicles are being replaced by electric cars
- Fossil fuels are expensive and environmentally destructive
- Fossil fuel cars emit 64% more CO2 than electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) produce no tailpipe emissions
In 2020, renewables became the second-most prevalent US electricity source. As a result, the total greenhouse gases (GHGs) associated with EVs could be even lower. Even accounting for electricity emissions, research shows that an EV is typically responsible for lower levels of GHGs than an average new gasoline car.
EVs are also more energy-efficient than conventional gasoline vehicles. They use approximately 87%–91% of the energy from the battery and regenerative braking to propel the vehicle. Gasoline vehicles, on the other hand, only convert about 16%–25% of the energy from gasoline into movement.
However, it is important to note that the production of EV batteries may create more carbon pollution than making a gasoline car due to the additional energy required to manufacture an EV battery. Nevertheless, the advanced batteries in EVs are designed for extended life and come with warranties of up to 8 years or 100,000 miles.
While the purchase price of EVs can be significantly higher, these costs can be offset by fuel cost savings, federal tax credits, and state and utility incentives. As production volumes increase and battery technologies mature, prices are expected to equalize with conventional vehicles.
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Fossil fuel cars waste hundreds of times more raw material than electric cars
The modern lifestyle demands a lot of energy, with over 80% of that energy coming from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. While coal and natural gas are used to generate electricity, oil is burned for road, rail, air, and sea transportation. In 2017, transportation accounted for 29% of US energy use, with 89% of that energy coming from crude oil, 3% from natural gas, and 5% from biofuels.
Internal combustion engines in fossil fuel cars burn material 300 times more than electric cars. An average fossil-fuel car burns the equivalent of a stack of oil barrels 25 storeys high over its lifetime. In contrast, an electric vehicle (EV) battery is estimated to use up just 30kg of raw materials with recycling compared to the 17,000 liters of petrol burned by the average car. This gap is expected to widen as technological advancements reduce the amount of lithium, cobalt, and nickel required to make EV batteries.
EVs are considered superior to their petrol and diesel counterparts in terms of raw material demand, energy efficiency, and cost, while also eliminating exhaust emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases. For example, EVs emit 64% less CO2 than fossil fuel cars, even when considering electricity generation and fuel production. Additionally, EVs require 58% less energy than petrol cars over their lifetime, even in countries with high emissions like Poland.
While higher battery production for EVs will require more mining of minerals, the environmental cost of oil extraction for fuel is significantly higher. The switch from engines to motors can also use oil to generate electricity and promote a lower-carbon future.
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Fossil fuel vehicles are being replaced by electric cars
The use of fossil fuels to meet energy demands has been a significant contributor to climate change. In the transportation industry, fossil fuels are used to power vehicles, with crude oil being the primary source of energy for cars and trucks. However, there is a growing trend of replacing these fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric cars. Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained popularity due to their potential to reduce pollution and mitigate environmental concerns.
Fossil fuel vehicles have internal combustion engines that burn gasoline or diesel, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere. In contrast, electric vehicles do not produce tailpipe emissions, offering a greener alternative. While EV battery manufacturing and charging contribute to carbon emissions, the overall environmental impact is significantly lower than that of traditional fossil fuel cars.
The transition from fossil fuel vehicles to electric cars is gaining momentum, driven by advancements in technology and a growing awareness of climate change. Electric vehicles are becoming more efficient, with improved battery technologies and fast-charging stations. Additionally, the utilization of renewable energy sources, such as PV solar panels, further enhances the sustainability of electric cars. Initiatives are being undertaken to address the challenges associated with the distribution network to accommodate the increasing number of EVs.
Although electric vehicles are gaining traction, it is worth noting that the production and distribution of electricity used to power these vehicles can still generate carbon emissions. The environmental impact of EVs depends on the energy sources used in different regions. For example, Norway, with its abundant hydropower, enables electric vehicles to have a minimal carbon footprint. In contrast, countries relying heavily on coal for electricity production may not see as significant a reduction in emissions from electric vehicles.
Despite the challenges, the replacement of fossil fuel vehicles with electric cars offers a promising path towards a lower carbon future. The benefits of electric vehicles extend beyond environmental concerns, as advancements in technology enhance the flexibility and agility of energy systems. The increasing adoption of electric vehicles is driving the energy sector to adopt more renewable energy sources, creating a positive feedback loop for sustainability.
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Fossil fuels are expensive and environmentally destructive
Fossil fuels are expensive, and their use has a massive impact on the environment. In the US, more than 80% of energy is generated by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable, as fossil fuel resources are finite and dwindling. The cost of fossil fuels is expected to rise, and the US could spend more than $30 trillion on them between 2010 and 2030. This is a massive expense, and it doesn't even account for the environmental and health costs associated with their use.
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury, which have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. These pollutants contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and eutrophication, which can lower oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems, damaging crops, forests, and wildlife. The health impacts of air pollution from fossil fuels are significant, with respiratory problems, heart disease, and premature births being linked to the pollutants emitted. The American Lung Association estimates that transitioning to clean energy could bring public health benefits totaling $978 billion in the US by 2050.
In addition to air pollution, the production and transport of fossil fuels routinely pollute the environment and occasionally cause catastrophic accidents. For example, the collapse of a coal ash pond in Tennessee in 2008 resulted in a $825 million clean-up bill, and between 1990 and 2006, 51 large oil spills in the US cost between $860 million and $1.1 billion in removal costs and compensation. These costs are often not reflected in the market prices of fossil fuels, and the true expense is much higher than meets the eye.
Furthermore, the cost of electricity generated from fossil fuels is subject to the volatile global fossil fuel markets. Global events, such as the pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, have caused energy price fluctuations. The cost of electricity rose sharply, and prices per kWh jumped 14.3% from 2021 to 2022. This unpredictability adds to the financial burden of fossil fuel dependence.
Lastly, investing in clean, renewable energy sources can bring economic savings. Community solar initiatives, for instance, offer an affordable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based energy. Embracing renewable energy can also generate new investment opportunities, with the potential to create $589 billion in new investment across the US. The cost of constructing renewable energy infrastructure has also decreased significantly, making it more cost-effective to transition to cleaner sources of energy.
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Fossil fuel cars emit 64% more CO2 than electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have zero tailpipe emissions, unlike fossil fuel cars. While emissions are created during the production and distribution of the electricity used to power EVs, research shows that an EV is generally responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) than a gasoline car. This is especially true when more renewable energy sources like wind and solar are used to generate electricity.
The US Energy Information Administration's 2017 Annual Energy Report revealed that 29% of US energy use is for transportation, with 89% of that coming from crude oil and 3% from natural gas. This equates to a typical passenger vehicle emitting about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
In contrast, electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions and are therefore responsible for significantly fewer GHGs during operation. T&E calculations suggest that, over its lifetime, a battery electric car will emit 64% less carbon dioxide than a petrol car. This is because, over its lifetime, an average fossil-fuel car burns the equivalent of a stack of oil barrels 25 storeys high.
However, it is important to note that some studies have shown that manufacturing a typical EV may create more carbon pollution than manufacturing a gasoline car due to the additional energy required to manufacture an EV's battery. Nevertheless, over the lifetime of the vehicle, total GHG emissions associated with an EV are typically lower than those associated with a gasoline car.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, 98% of vehicles in the US run on petroleum or diesel fuels. However, the number of electric vehicles is rising, with nearly 9% of new cars sold worldwide in 2021 being electric.
Many countries are implementing policies to reduce the number of fossil fuel vehicles and encourage the use of electric vehicles. For example, France and the UK plan to ban the sale of fossil fuel vehicles by 2040, and China introduced a policy in 2024 to subsidize the replacement of fossil fuel vehicles with electric or fuel-efficient vehicles.
Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. They are also more energy-efficient than fossil fuel vehicles, which will help reduce the demand for oil and lower carbon emissions.
