How can CO2 emissions from road transport be reduced?
Today, road transport is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in France and Europe. Every year, millions of tonnes of CO2 are released into the atmosphere by vehicles transporting goods and people.
Trucks, heavy goods vehicles, private cars: all these vehicles contribute to the increase in carbon in the air. This dynamic calls into question our mode of development, underlining the urgent need for a coherent energy transition. According to Ademe data, the transport sector alone accounts for almost a third of territorial emissions in France. In Paris, Lyon and other major cities, the environmental footprint of road transport is a major challenge.
Faced with this situation, reducing emissions has become a priority. Whether by optimizing journeys, developing electric vehicles or improving energy management, solutions exist. The aim: to limit environmental impact, reduce fossil fuel consumption and improve air quality.
In this article, we'll look at why road transport is such a CO2 emitter, how concrete actions can help reduce its carbon footprint, and what the economic and ecological benefits of this approach are.
1.1 Why is road transport responsible for a significant proportion of CO2 emissions?
1.2 The impact of trucks, cars and other vehicles on the environment
1.3 Comparison with other sectors: air, sea
2. How can CO2 emissions from road transport be reduced?
2.1 Transition to electric and hybrid vehicles
2.2 Optimizing routes and reducing fuel consumption
2.3 Improving logistics and fleet management
3. The benefits of reducing emissions in road transport
3.1 Lower energy and fuel costs
CO2 emissions in the road transport sector
Today, the road transport sector is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in France. According to data published by Ademe, transport accounts for almost 30% of territorial GHG emissions. This figure underlines the importance of acting quickly to reduce the environmental footprint of the vehicles on our roads.
🚚 Why is road transport responsible for a significant proportion of CO2 emissions?
The vast majority of goods and passenger transport is carried out by fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Trucks, heavy goods vehicles, private cars, commercial vehicles: they all consume diesel or gasoline, and their combustion is synonymous with GHG emissions.
In France, the dense road network and the importance of freight traffic explain the sector's weight in national emissions. Every year, millions of tonnes of goods are transported by truck between Paris, Lyon and the main logistics hubs. This activity generates a substantial volume of GHGs.
On a European scale, the situation is similar. Trade between the countries of the European Union increases the use of road transport, which in turn increases the overall carbon footprint.
🚗 The impact of trucks, cars and other vehicles on the environment
Vehicle weight is a determining factor in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. The heavier a vehicle, the more fuel it consumes to get around. For example, a fully loaded 40-ton truck consumes an average of 39.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. Given that burning one liter of diesel emits around 2.49kg of CO₂e, this means that such a truck emits around 98kg of CO₂e for every 100 kilometers traveled.
Passenger cars, although less massive, also represent a significant source of emissions due to their sheer numbers. In France, with almost 40 million cars on the road, the carbon footprint associated with road transport remains very high. According to the Ministries of Regional Planning and Ecological Transition, personal vehicles are responsible for 53% of total CO₂e emissions from the road sector.
Key transport figures - 2025 edition
March 2025, Ministries Land Use Planning Ecological Transition
The road sector also contributes indirectly to the greenhouse effect through massive energy consumption, notably in fuel production and distribution.
✈️ Comparison with other sectors: air, sea
When compared with other modes of transport, road transport remains in the lead in terms of volume of emissions.
Air transport is a high emitter per kilometer traveled, but involves fewer journeys than road transport. Sea freight, on the other hand, transports large quantities of goods over long distances, with a relatively low carbon footprint per tonne. However, the global volume of sea freight means that its emissions are not negligible.
On the other hand, road transport, which handles both the delivery of goods and daily travel by private car, remains the biggest emitter of GHGs in France and Europe. The data show that without swift action, the sector's carbon footprint could continue to grow, despite the reduction efforts already underway.
The 7 advantages of carrying out your company's GHG assessment.
How can CO2 emissions from road transport be reduced?
Faced with the urgency of climate change and growing regulatory pressure in France and Europe, the road haulage sector must evolve. Today, there are several solutions that can significantly reduce carbon emissions from freight vehicles and passenger cars.
🔋 Transition to electric and hybrid vehicles
One of the first ways of reducing our carbon footprint is to gradually replace combustion-powered vehicles with electric or hybrid vehicles.
Electric trucks are starting to gain in popularity, particularly for urban and short-distance routes. In Paris, Lyon and other major cities, several transport companies have already integrated clean vehicles into their fleets. This transition directly limits GHG emissions.
However, the challenge remains significant for long-distance freight transport, where battery autonomy and weight still pose technical constraints. At European level, projects for electric corridors for heavy goods vehicles are being studied to support this development.
Hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, offer an intermediate solution by reducing fossil fuel consumption while guaranteeing a degree of autonomy.
🧭 Optimizing routes and reducing fuel consumption
Reducing the number of kilometers driven is a simple and effective method of limiting CO₂e emissions. Route optimization, thanks to advanced data analysis and digital tools, helps to avoid unnecessary journeys, reduce traffic jams and therefore energy expenditure.
Freight operators and shippers are increasingly investing in logistics optimization solutions to minimize costs and carbon footprint. In Lyon, several transport operators have reduced their annual fuel consumption by 20%.
Simple techniques such as eco-driving, speed limits and driver training can also significantly reduce the tons of CO₂ emitted.
📦 Improved logistics and fleet management
Better fleet management is also essential to reducing emissions in road transport. This involves a number of levers:
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- Renewing vehicles to adopt lighter, more energy-efficient models;
- Sharing goods transport to reduce empty runs;
- The use of multimodal transport, combining road, rail and sometimes sea transport, to reduce the share of road transport in the overall carbon footprint.
Shippers in France and Europe are increasingly being encouraged to review their logistics strategies to meet their emissions reduction targets. New European standards, notably Euro 7, will also impose stricter criteria for pollutant gas emissions.
Using accurate data, organizations can track their carbon footprint and adjust their strategies to maximize emissions reductions.
The benefits of reducing emissions in road transport
Reducing CO2e emissions in the road transport sector offers numerous benefits, both for the environment and for the organizations themselves. This approach is now essential in France and Europe.
💰 Lower energy and fuel costs
One of the first benefits is economic. By reducing energy consumption, transporters cut their fuel costs. At a time when energy prices remain high, optimizing consumption becomes a competitive lever.
A better-maintained truck, better weight control, optimized routes: these are all actions that can save several thousand euros a year and limit GHG emissions. For freight transport, these savings are directly visible on the financial balance sheet.
🌿 Enhanced reputation for sustainability
Companies committed to reducing their carbon footprint enjoy a better image with their customers, partners and investors.
In Paris, Lyon and many other European cities, public and private tenders now include environmental criteria. Reducing carbon emissions is thus becoming a real competitive advantage for shippers and carriers.
Consumers are also increasingly sensitive to the ecological impact of the goods they buy. A carrier that promotes its GHG and clean energy efforts strengthens its market position.
📜 Meeting growing legal and environmental requirements
Lastly, reducing emissions enables us to anticipate regulatory requirements. In France and Europe, standards are evolving rapidly.
Legislation is progressively imposing emission ceilings of tonnes of CO2 for trucks and cars. By 2030, the reduction targets set by the European Union will be even more ambitious.
By adapting today, companies in the road transport sector can avoid heavy penalties and facilitate their transition to more sustainable models.
We aim to meet ministerial requirements and guidelines by promoting more responsible sports and raising awareness among our members and the general public.
Road transport plays a central role in GHG emissions in France and Europe. Every tonne of goods transported, every kilometer covered by vehicles and trucks contributes to the national carbon footprint.
There are solutions to this challenge. The development of electric vehicles, reduced energy consumption, route optimization and intelligent fleet management are all levers for reducing GHG emissions.
The benefits are many: energy savings, a better reputation, compliance with regulations, and an active contribution to the fight against the greenhouse effect. By committing themselves to this approach, the road transport industry is fully involved in building a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly model.
In Paris, Lyon and throughout France, the challenge is immense, but the opportunities are real. The time has come for the transport sector to play its full part in reducing carbon emissions and building the future of freight transport in Europe.
Sources
- https://www.ademe.fr/presse/communique-national/renovation-performante-des-logements-une-condition-necessaire-pour-atteindre-les-objectifs-climatiques/#:~:text=Les logements représentent près de,des logements doit fortement accélérer
- 40-tonne truck consumes 39.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers
- a liter of diesel emits about 2.68 kg of CO₂
- private cars are responsible for 61% of total CO₂ emissions
- Example Lyon
- Euro 7