Sustainable transport is one of the cornerstones of the current green energy transition. However, the concept of sustainable transport and some of its key technologies are not new. This article will explore sustainable transport, looking at its history, key examples of technology, applications, recent developments, and its future.
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Introduction to Sustainable Transport
Due to their emissions, conventional fossil fuel-burning automobiles, trucks, public transport, ships, and airplanes contribute to anthropogenic climate change. If net zero goals are to be met, they will rely in part on the rapid and comprehensive decarbonization of the global transport sector.
Sustainable transport can be defined as any mode of transport that does not rely on non-renewable, carbon-emitting technologies. This definition is broad, encompassing electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids, alternative fuels such as hydrogen and biofuels, bicycles, e-scooters, and mass transit systems such as trams and trains. Sustainable aviation and marine transport are also included.
Conventional ICE vehicles, ships, and airplanes are still the main transport technology worldwide, responsible for roughly 8.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent in 2023. The global transportation sector contributed around 16% of total global emissions.1
History of Sustainable Transport
For much of history, mechanical power and wind have been the main means of powering marine transportation. This, however, changed during the Industrial Revolution and the following century. Coal was used to power ships and trains, and eventually, internal combustion engines became the prominent technology in road, marine, and air transport.
Before the rise to dominance of the ICE vehicle, however, several alternative technologies almost became the choice of vehicle users. Inventors and engineers developed steam-powered options and even electric vehicles. However, internal combustion proved the most reliable technology, leading to widespread adoption.2
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, electric buses operated on the streets of London. In Berlin, the world’s first electric tram was built in 1881. However, by the mid-1930s, electric vehicles had largely disappeared. Poor range and high costs halted the early development of this mainstay of sustainable transport, reasons which still resonate in the industry today.
Aside from developments such as electrified metro networks in many major cities, vehicles continued to rely on carbon-emitting ICE technologies. It was not until the early 21st century that technological advances and the growing urgency around the climate crisis caused sustainable, greener transport to become more dominant technology.
One in four new vehicles sold in 2023 were EVs, emphasizing the remarkable growth in the sector over the past decade. This figure fluctuates depending on the country; however, 90% of new vehicles sold in Norway in 2023 were electric, compared to 40% in China.3
Key Examples of Sustainable Transport Technology
Sustainable transport uses alternative fuels and forms of energy. Several technologies have been developed over the past few decades to decarbonize the transportation sector, with several noteworthy advances made in just the past few years.
Electric vehicles use a battery instead of an internal combustion engine as their powertrain. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, meaning they do not cause air pollution. Hybrid vehicles employ a battery and a conventional engine, utilizing regenerative braking power to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Plug-in hybrids are charged using an external power source.
Fuel cell vehicles are an alternative to EVs. These vehicles commonly use hydrogen (though some use alternative fuels) to provide power. Similar to an ICE vehicle, the fuels they use are cleaner, with vastly reduced emissions. Hydrogen only produces heat, energy, and water vapor when it burns, and it is considered a clean fuel depending on the source.
Finally, conventional ICE vehicles can use biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. These alternative fuels are produced from sustainable feedstocks and other greener production methods than conventional petroleum-based fuels.4
Sustainable aviation fuel and blue diesel are also in development for the aerospace and marine transportation industries, respectively.
Recent Developments in Sustainable Transport
Some noteworthy breakthroughs in EV technology have been made in recent years, addressing some of the key concerns with these sustainable vehicles.
Firstly, charging time has remained a persistent bottleneck for the technology. Companies like Tesla and Rivian are developing vehicles that can charge 80% capacity in under 20 minutes. Solid-state batteries are currently in development, which promise to be safer and more efficient than conventional lithium-ion-based technologies.
In Africa, Mobility for Africa is providing sustainable transportation options for underserved communities. The company offers solutions, including solar-powered battery recharging and e-trikes carrying cargo. Battery swapping is another development, with Chinese automotive companies starting to offer this solution to consumers.4
Hyundai has committed to hydrogen with the Nexo and Initium models. It is rumored that the Nexo will have a 500-mile range. Biodiesel is rapidly becoming a predominant fuel for the public transit sector.
The Future of Sustainable Transport
The transportation sector needs to decarbonize to achieve net zero goals by 2030. While several technical and regulatory challenges exist, progress has been made over the past decade, with a record number of EVs and other sustainable transport options sold in 2023.
Audi, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, and Dodge are some companies releasing new EV models over the next few years. This is not just a sustainability issue: releasing EVs and phasing out ICEs makes business sense as the world transitions to net zero, with countries such as the UK aiming to completely phase out the sale of new ICE vehicles by the mid-2030s.
The outlook for the sustainable transport sector looks strong. With advances in battery safety, vehicle range, and new green fuels, it is becoming increasingly likely that the transportation industry will meet its sustainability and net zero commitments despite its current challenges.
Read More: The Roadmap to Transport Decarbonization
References and Further Reading
- Statista (2024) Transportation emissions worldwide – statistics & facts [online] Statista.com. Available at: https://www.statista.com/topics/7476/transportation-emissions-worldwide (Accessed on 15 November 2024)
- Stokel-Walker, C (2024) 7 major breakthroughs in the evolution of sustainable transport [online] Neste.com. Available at: https://www.neste.com/news-and-insights/transportation/7-major-breakthroughs-evolution-sustainable-transport (Accessed on 15 November 2024)
- Ritchie, H (2024) Tracking global data on electric vehicles [online] Ourworldindata.org. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/electric-car-sales (Accessed on 15 November 2024)
- Energy.gov (2024) Sustainable Transportation and Fuels [online] Available at: https://www.energy.gov/eere/sustainable-transportation-and-fuels (Accessed on 15 November 2024)
- Adams, H.S (2024) Top 10: Innovations in Electric Vehicles [online] EV Magazine. Available at: https://evmagazine.com/technology/top-10-innovations-in-electric-vehicles (Accessed on 15 November 2024)
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