Transportenergie

Transportenergie, or transport energy, denotes the energy consumed to move people and goods by all transportation modes. It is a key part of the energy sector and a standard metric in energy statistics, mobility planning, and climate policy.

Measurement and scope: energy is reported in units such as exajoules or terawatt-hours, and sometimes in tonnes of oil equivalent. It includes energy used by road, rail, air, water transport, and related logistics, plus energy losses in engines, propulsion systems, and energy infrastructure.

Efficiency and intensity: energy intensity varies by mode. Rail and maritime transport typically deliver lower energy use per tonne- or passenger-kilometre than road or air; aviation is among the most energy-intensive per distance. Electrical energy for vehicles reduces direct fossil fuel use, but the overall carbon impact depends on electricity generation.

Trends and decarbonization: transport energy demand grows with income and population, though efficiency gains, modal shifts, and electrification influence the trajectory. Low-carbon fuels, hydrogen, biofuels, and advanced batteries are part of decarbonization strategies for road, air, and shipping.

Policy and planning: strategies to reduce transport energy use include vehicle efficiency standards, fuel taxes or carbon pricing, urban and transport planning to favor public transit and non-motorized modes, investment in charging and refueling infrastructure, and incentives for low- and zero-emission technologies and fuels.

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