Since transport-related greenhouse gases come almost entirely from energy use, and transport contributes 29% of total U. S. greenhouse gas emissions, that means passenger vehicles account for approximately 16.4% of the U. total.
The U. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is addressing climate change by taking the following steps to reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector: many of these programs have benefits beyond reducing carbon emissions. For example, lower fuel consumption can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save consumers money at gas stations. The EPA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued joint regulations establishing GHG emissions and fuel economy standards for major sources of transportation greenhouse gases, including cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks.
Congress created the Renewable Fuel Standards program in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the country's renewable fuel sector, while reducing dependence on oil. Renewable fuels are produced from plants, crops and other biomass, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to burning the fossil fuels they replace. The EPA, together with the Federal Aviation Agency of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, have developed international carbon dioxide emission standards for aircraft. EPA is also working on the process of potentially establishing national regulations under the Clean Air Act that address GHG emissions from certain classes of engines used in aircraft.
SmartWay helps freight transport industry improve supply chain efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases, and save fuel costs for participating companies. Through SmartWay, the EPA and its partners are making significant strides in the efficiency of the way our country moves goods, helping to address air quality challenges, improving public health and reducing the contribution of freight to climate change. Since the mid-1970s, the EPA has required automakers to label new cars and light trucks with information on fuel economy and fuel costs. Current car labels also include ratings for greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants.
EPA provides online resources, such as the Green Vehicle Guide and the joint EPA and Department of Energy (DOE) fueleconomy.gov website, to help consumers identify vehicles that can save them money at the pump and reduce their transportation-related emissions. EPA's SmartWay light duty program goes further and identifies the highest-performing vehicles in terms of fuel economy and emissions to help consumers make an environmentally friendly purchase. For information on emission reduction strategies, national policies and regulations, voluntary and incentive-based programs, funding sources, calculators, transportation compliance, and other assistance to help states and local areas achieve their air quality objectives and transport goals, visit EPA's website on transportation initiatives. While transportation continues to contribute a large percentage of U.
greenhouse gas emissions, there are many opportunities for the sector to offer greenhouse gas reductions. Low-carbon fuels, new and improved vehicle technologies, strategies to reduce the number of miles traveled by vehicles and operate vehicles more efficiently are approaches to reducing transportation greenhouse gases. Our personal vehicles are one of the main causes of global warming: taken together, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all U. emissions, emitting about 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other gases that heat the Earth for every gallon of gas.
Approximately five pounds come from the extraction, production and delivery of fuel, while most heat-trapping emissions (more than 19 pounds per gallon) come directly from a car's exhaust pipe. Road transport accounts for approximately one fifth of EU emissions: a large car emits 85% more greenhouse gases per km on average than a small vehicle according to UK government figures. Electric cars have lower carbon emissions: they emit about a third of the CO2 of a petrol car in the United Kingdom, although this figure will vary from country to country depending on the amount of fossil fuels that are still used to produce electricity. The stock of cars on roads will also alter this: cars on U.
S highways are generally larger and less efficient than those in Europe for example. If this road is blocked by an increasingly conservative federal judiciary, states can take a carrot-and-stick approach to zero-emission vehicles. The EU is introducing new CO2 emission targets which aim to reduce harmful emissions from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (vans). In total, transport in the U.
S., which includes cars, trucks, planes, trains, ships and cargo produces nearly thirty percent of all U. S global warming emissions - more than almost any other sector - similarly for older people or people with disabilities cars may be the only feasible means of transport.Concerned about potential impacts of air pollution and chaotic traffic on young children he created a local group to advocate that his fellow parents avoid driving their cars to school - convincing school to get involved in Living Streets walk to school program.It would ensure that used cars sell for a decent percentage below subsidized price of new car.As world shifts to lower carbon sources electricity rise electric vehicles offers viable option reduce emissions from passenger vehicles - making it easier drive zero-emission vehicles certain areas while discouraging owners cars with internal combustion engines using their cars both.Passenger cars major polluter accounting 61% total CO2 emissions from EU road transport - cars SUVs contribute significantly Canada's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pushing world into climate crisis.In its Energy Technology Outlook report International Energy Agency (IEA) expects global transport (measured passenger-kilometers) double car ownership rates increase 60% demand passenger cargo aviation triple 2070.Taken together these factors would result large increase transport emissions - as proportion electricity renewable sources increase future electric cars should even less harmful environment especially given EU's plans make batteries more sustainable.To convert emissions gas into CO2 equivalent its emissions multiplied...
