The road to green: AI and sustainable fuels tackle transportation emissions

As one of the largest contributors to anthropogenic U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the transportation sector is continually seeking new ways to reduce its carbon footprint. According to the EPA, transportation accounted for the largest portion (28%) of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2022. Cars, trucks, commercial aircraft and railroads, among other sources, all contribute to transportation end-use sector emissions.

Most transportation GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from the combustion of petroleum-based products, like gasoline and diesel fuel, in internal combustion engines, the EPA reports. The largest sources of transportation-related GHG emissions include passenger cars, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and light-duty trucks, including sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and minivans. These sources account for over half of the emissions from the transportation sector.

The remaining transportation GHGs come from other modes of transportation, including commercial aircraft, ships, boats and trains, as well as pipelines and lubricants. Indirect emissions from electricity comprise less than 1% of direct emissions.

A new report from InTek Logistics paints a picture of a trucking industry that’s losing ground in its effort to reduce GHG emissions. In 2023, total CO2 emissions from freight trucking across all 50 states reached 392 million metric tons. This figure is forecasted to rise to 420 million metric tons by 2025 (a 7% increase).