Katerina Swanson
Cars and trucks are a major cause of global warming. The burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons is causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm, resulting in changes to the climate. In the US, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. The transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, planes, trains, ships, and freight, produces nearly 30% of all US global warming emissions, making it the largest contributor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cars and trucks account for | Nearly one-fifth of all US emissions |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by cars and trucks | 24 pounds of carbon dioxide for every gallon of gas |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to extraction, production, and delivery of fuel | 5 pounds |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a typical passenger vehicle per year | 4.6 metric tons |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by burning a gallon of gasoline | 8,887 grams |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by burning a gallon of diesel | 10,180 grams |
| Percentage of carbon dioxide emitted by light vehicles in Australia | 11% |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the US transportation sector | Nearly 30% of all US global warming emissions |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the US transportation sector between 1990 and 2022 | 6 billion metric tons |
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What You'll Learn
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
The burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, and the buildup of this gas, along with others like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), is causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm, leading to changes in the climate that we are already witnessing. This warming effect is commonly referred to as the greenhouse effect.
In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. Indeed, the transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, planes, trains, ships, and freight, is a significant contributor to global warming emissions. Cars and trucks alone account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas.
The carbon dioxide released from burning gasoline in vehicles comes from two main sources. Firstly, there are the emissions directly from the vehicle's tailpipe, known as "tailpipe CO2". Secondly, there are the "upstream" emissions associated with the production and distribution of the fuel used to power the vehicle. The extraction, production, and delivery of fuel can contribute about five pounds of emissions per gallon of gas.
To combat global warming, it is crucial to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and transition to cleaner energy sources. This can be achieved through various means, such as improving fuel efficiency in vehicles, transitioning to electric vehicles, and adopting renewable energy sources. Additionally, reducing the consumption of oil and avoiding unnecessary emissions from oil are essential steps in mitigating global warming.
It is worth noting that while natural gas is often promoted as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil, it is still a fossil fuel. According to the IPCC, fossil fuel emissions must be halved within a certain timeframe to effectively limit global warming and prevent further temperature rise.
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Cars and trucks account for one-fifth of US emissions
Cars and trucks are a major cause of global warming. In the US, they account for nearly one-fifth of all emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. About five pounds come from the extraction, production, and delivery of the fuel, while over 19 pounds per gallon are emitted directly from a car’s tailpipe.
The US transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, planes, trains, ships, and freight, produces nearly 30% of all US global warming emissions, more than almost any other sector. Within the transportation sector, cars and trucks are the largest contributors to CO2 emissions. In 2019, personal vehicles and commercial trucks averaged more CO2 emissions per passenger/ton-mile than most other modes of transportation. Overall, road travel accounts for three-quarters of transport emissions, with most emissions coming from passenger vehicles (45.1%) and the remaining 29.4% from trucks carrying freight.
To reduce emissions, the EPA and DOT have issued regulations and standards for fuel economy and emissions for cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. These include the SmartWay light-duty program, which identifies the top-performing vehicles in terms of fuel economy and emissions to assist consumers in making environmentally-friendly purchases. The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act also requires federal agencies to acquire low-emission vehicles. As a result of these regulations, vehicles have become more efficient, and emissions have declined since 2005, despite an increase in travel by car and truck.
Looking to the future, technological innovations such as electric vehicles and lower-carbon electricity sources offer a viable option to reduce emissions from passenger vehicles. The use of electric cars and trucks, in particular, can produce zero emissions when the electricity comes from renewable sources. However, it is important to note that other transport sectors, such as long-distance road freight (large trucks), aviation, and shipping, will be much more difficult to decarbonize due to the limitations of hydrogen fuel and battery technology.
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Fuel extraction, production and delivery contribute to emissions
The burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 74% of US greenhouse gas emissions, with nearly 25% of emissions coming from fossil fuels extracted from public lands.
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to direct greenhouse gas emissions, and the second-largest contributor when indirect emissions from electricity are included. Cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global warming gases for every gallon of gas. About five pounds come from the extraction, production, and delivery of the fuel.
Fuel Extraction
The extraction of fossil fuels can lead to oil spills, which harm communities and wildlife, destroy habitats, erode shorelines, and result in beach, park, and fishery closures. The 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, for example, released 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, causing immense environmental damage and costing $65 billion in penalties and cleanup costs.
Fuel Production
The production phase of the fossil fuel supply chain also generates emissions and other externalities. Fossil fuels are responsible for significant climate, environmental, and health costs that are not reflected in market prices. These costs include ocean acidification, with at least a quarter of the carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuels being absorbed by the oceans, altering their chemistry (pH).
Fuel Delivery
Within the transportation sector, shipping is the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, comprising 11% of total emissions. The combustion of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by shipping companies releases harmful gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, all of which contribute to climate change. Cargo ships produce 16.14 grams of CO2 per kilometer for each metric ton of cargo they carry, while container ships release an annual average of 140 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
To reduce emissions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set targets, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Initiatives include using cleaner fuels, optimizing ship design, and implementing slow steaming.
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Fuel-efficient vehicles reduce emissions and slow global warming
Cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas burned. The burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm and the climate to change.
Cleaner fuels, such as those made from cellulosic biofuels, can also help. These can reduce emissions by up to 80% compared to gasoline. Electric cars and trucks that use electricity as fuel produce fewer emissions than conventional vehicles, and when the electricity comes from renewable sources, they produce zero emissions.
There are also co-benefits to electromobility when coupled with the power system. For example, the batteries within electric vehicles can act as storage devices for the grid, helping to stabilize the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Strong regulatory policies, such as California's Zero Emission Vehicle regulation and the European Union's CO2 emissions standards, have encouraged the production and adoption of electric vehicles.
Additionally, decreasing fuel consumption can reduce a country's dependence on foreign oil and lower costs for consumers. Strategies such as efficient city planning, land use, and shared mobility options can also help reduce emissions and slow global warming.
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Electric vehicles produce fewer or zero emissions
Cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. The burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a much better alternative to conventional cars as they produce fewer or zero emissions. While EVs do not have tailpipe emissions, they do generate some emissions during the process of building and charging the vehicles. The emissions created depend on the type of energy used to charge the vehicles. For example, using coal or natural gas to generate electricity emits carbon pollution, whereas renewable resources like wind or solar do not.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator, which estimates the greenhouse gas emissions associated with charging and driving an EV or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in a particular location. Some studies have shown that manufacturing an EV can create more carbon pollution than manufacturing a gasoline car due to the additional energy required to produce an EV battery. However, over the lifetime of the vehicle, EVs are responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline cars.
In addition to EVs, fuel-efficient vehicles are another way to reduce emissions. These vehicles use less gas to travel the same distance as less efficient vehicles, resulting in fewer emissions. Cleaner fuels, such as those made from cellulosic biofuels, can also reduce emissions by up to 80% compared to gasoline.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons causes the Earth’s atmosphere to warm, leading to climate change.
Cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. About five pounds come from the extraction, production, and delivery of the fuel, while the rest comes from the car’s tailpipe.
Fuel-efficient vehicles use less gas to travel the same distance as their less efficient counterparts. When we burn less fuel, we generate fewer emissions, which slows down the pace of global warming.
Electric cars and trucks use electricity as fuel, producing zero emissions when powered by renewable energy sources. Some fuels, like those made from cellulosic biofuels, can also reduce emissions by up to 80% compared to gasoline.
In addition to using fuel-efficient vehicles, we can reduce global warming by decreasing fuel consumption through strategies such as improving fuel quality, reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled, and operating vehicles more efficiently.
