Transportation sector CO₂ emissions in the U.S. 1975-2023
U.S. transportation sector emissions from energy consumption increased by almost one percent in 2023, to 1.86 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂). The U.S. is the largest contributor to global transportation emissions, accounting for almost a quarter of the global total.
Transportation is the main source of U.S. GHG emissions
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for roughly 29 percent of the total in 2021. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas produced by the transportation sector.
Road vehicle emissions in the U.S.
The majority of U.S. transportation-related emissions are produced by road vehicles. Combined, light-duty trucks and passenger cars were responsible for almost 60 percent of total U.S. transportation sector emissions in 2021.