U.S. transportation sector emissions from energy consumption were 1.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO2) in 2021. The U.S. is the largest contributor to transportation-related emissions worldwide, accounting for approximately 25 percent of the global total.
Impacts of COVID-19 on transportation emissions
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused U.S. transportation CO2 emissions to plummet more than 15 percent in 2020, relative to 2019. This dramatic decrease was due to the strict lockdowns and travel bans imposed across the country. Although emissions rebounded in 2021 as restrictions eased, they remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Transportation is the main source of U.S. emissions
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to U.S CO2 emissions, having surpassed the electric power sector emissions in 2016. Prior to this, transportation sector emissions had not been higher than power sector emissions since the 1970s. Transportation now accounts for roughly 30 percent of total U.S. CO2 emissions from energy consumption each year.
Carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the transportation sector in the U.S. from 1975 to 2021
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)
Characteristic
Emissions in million metric tons of carbon dioxide
2021
1,803
2020
1,632
2019
1,924
2018
1,918
2017
1,886
2016
1,869
2015
1,837
2014
1,814
2013
1,795
2012
1,776
2011
1,813
2010
1,847
2009
1,832
2008
1,896
2007
2,026
2006
2,023
2005
1,992
2004
1,972
2003
1,917
2002
1,899
2001
1,859
2000
1,888
1999
1,832
1998
1,785
1997
1,748
1996
1,729
1995
1,679
1994
1,644
1993
1,604
1992
1,591
1991
1,567
1990
1,587
1989
1,591
1988
1,580
1987
1,520
1986
1,473
1985
1,423
1984
1,391
1983
1,359
1982
1,353
1981
1,383
1980
1,397
1979
1,452
1978
1,462
1977
1,405
1976
1,353
1975
1,291
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EIA. (April 26, 2022). Carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the transportation sector in the U.S. from 1975 to 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118464/transportation-co2-emissions-in-the-us-energy-consumption/
EIA. "Carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the transportation sector in the U.S. from 1975 to 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)." Chart. April 26, 2022. Statista. Accessed June 27, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118464/transportation-co2-emissions-in-the-us-energy-consumption/
EIA. (2022). Carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the transportation sector in the U.S. from 1975 to 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 27, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118464/transportation-co2-emissions-in-the-us-energy-consumption/
EIA. "Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Energy Consumption in The Transportation Sector in The U.S. from 1975 to 2021 (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide)." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Apr 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118464/transportation-co2-emissions-in-the-us-energy-consumption/
EIA, Carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the transportation sector in the U.S. from 1975 to 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118464/transportation-co2-emissions-in-the-us-energy-consumption/ (last visited June 27, 2022)
