What is the most environmentally friendly form of transport?

The world needs to take action when it comes to saving our planet. The UK became the first country to pass a law which would require we reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

That is a pretty ambitious goal and many factors will play into reaching this, such as transport.

First of all, what does ‘net-zero emissions’ mean? Well, it basically means that the country would be removing as much carbon as it was emitting.

In a recent report, the UK’s Climate Change Committee concluded that the power sector was managing to adapt to meet the net-zero target thanks to their developments in large-scale wind and solar power energy projects.

But can the transport sector do the same?

We’ll all have to help and change our modes of transport in order to reach this goal; so what is the most environmentally friendly form of transport?

The Bike

Zero negative impact to the environment, the bike wins the prize for the most environmentally friendly form of transport. Everybody ‘on yer bike’.

However brilliant the bike is, it is not practical for everyone or for every use. For smaller, single-person modes of transport, scooters are also pretty good.

The Bus

When full the bus is one of the greenest ways to travel. The local bus emits a little over half the greenhouse gases of a single occupancy car journey. If a couple were to take the bus instead of even a hybrid car it would cut their carbon footprint nearly in half.

However, this works best when the bus is full, unfortunately many buses continue their routes when empty - having a negative impact.

The Train

Arguably the train is the most environmentally friendly form of transport, emitting 80% less greenhouse gas than cars.

Walking and cycling are the only methods that beat it. In the UK, transport accounts for 26% of all carbon emissions and the train only makes up 1% of that.

However, 29% of Britain’s trains are currently diesel powered and only two-fifths of UK tracks are electrified.

We have a target to make all trains emission free by 2050, it’s a big target but a positive move to our net-zero emissions mission.

The Electric Car

Electric cars have come on in leaps and bounds over the years. In fact, an electric car will have about half the climate impact over its lifetime compared with the average car.

Our towns and cities are built for mass car ownership, currently cars make up nearly four out of every five miles travelled in the UK - let’s make them electric miles!

Carpooling

Did you know that car emissions have a longer-term impact on the environment than airplane emissions?

Cars are especially damaging when used for solo use. On average, a car emits about 180g per passenger per kilometer.

However, if you start carpooling and adding other passengers in there the car becomes a much more environmentally-friendly alternative, adding just 12g/km per extra passenger.

Traktual

If we have our way then Traktual will be at the top of the environmentally friendly list for transport.

Using a simple infrastructure of an overhead electrical supply system, Traktual can be used in both rural and urban areas and is non polluting at point of use.

Traktual could eventually replace diesel vehicles such as buses and eliminate the negative impact of empty diesel buses continuing their routes.

If you would like to know more about Traktual and how we are re-thinking green energy then please get in touch.