In France, the individual car emits more greenhouse gases than all other modes of transport combined. It represents more than 15% of total emissions in our territory. However, 2/3 of the French consider it essential. So how can we succeed in reducing our transport CO2 emissions?
A third of greenhouse gases emitted in France and 80% of pollution (nitrogen oxides, fine particles, volatile organic compounds, etc.) are due to road transport. Despite the development of the electric vehicle, road transport depends on more than 90% of oil. Can we reasonably hope to reduce our transport CO2 emissions in the years to come?
The car is essential, SUVs much less!
A study IPSOS of July 2019 showed that 87% of French people use their car for at least one of their daily trips: going to work, shopping, practicing their hobbies or even going to the doctor. It is therefore no question of doing without vehicles individuals at this stage. The population is not ready for it even if (this is a figure that should be noted) half of the journeys are less than 5km.
But the first problem is the undeniable success of SUVs, which have represented more than 40% of registrations in the European Union in 2021. Larger and heavier than sedans, these vehicles are less aerodynamicconsume more fuel and emit more greenhouse gases. With such vehicles, it is impossible to reach the European target of 95 g CO2/km. As a reminder: we are more at 112 g CO2/km today on average.
It will therefore not be possible to significantly reduce individual car journeys in 10 years. The first common-sense step would be to favor use over comfort and prestige. The important thing for people is to to be able to move and not necessarily to appear behind the wheel of a big and beautiful racing car.
We remember that the energy specialist Jean-Marc Jancovici had suggested a drastic measure to effectively reduce the unit consumption of vehicleswithout forcing people to completely give up their cars.
This is to encourage manufacturers and motorists to move towards 500 kg cars, reaching 110 km/h at top speed, for a 30 horsepower engine: a modern version of 2 CV hybrid capable of consuming only two liters per 100 at most.
Mobility is now at the heart of discussions. So how should we now consider our daily trips? The most ecological solutions depend, each time, on the distance to be covered, the number of passengers per vehicle and the nature of the journey to be made.
The bike for short trips
For short trips: walking and cycling seem to make a lot of sense. But in France, the bicycle represents only 3% of trips (especially in the city) against 10% in Germany and 28% in the Netherlands. The objective of the public authorities is to reach 9% in 2024. Some large cities have already paved the way, such as Strasbourg (16% of journeys made by bicycle), Grenoble (15%) and Bordeaux (12%).
the bike maplaunched at the end of 2018, has several objectives:
- Accelerate the development of cycle paths.
- Create spaces reserved for cyclists at traffic lights.
- Make it compulsory to mark bicycles to limit theft, concealment and trafficking.
- Financially support employees who cycle to work (up to €400/year).
- Promote cycle networks, self-service bicycles, etc.
- Develop functional infrastructure (bicycle garages, cycle paths, transport of bicycles on the train.
Public transport to go to work
For home-to-work journeys, public transport are less polluting solutions than the car. To facilitate access to stations, developments are being carried out in a good number of towns: installation of secure parking lots for bicycles near the station, self-service scooters and bicycles, promotion of carpooling in the event of a clear absence of public transport.
Urban transport CO2 emissions
| tram | 3.3 |
| Metro | 3.8 |
| Transilien | 5.8 |
| Bus | 132 |
| 2 motorized wheels | 111 |
| Peri-urban passenger cars | 162 |
| Urban passenger cars | 206 |
The train for long journeys
When possible, the train is always a better option than the car for long distances. In addition to being less energy intensive, it emits few pollutants when, as in France, it is powered by electricity. The particles emitted by train braking are low compared to road traffic. Upon arrival, the train generates between three and five times less CO2 than a car per person transported.
In addition, the train contributes to a more sustainable and harmonious development of territories. For example, a railway takes up half the space of a road. For a high-speed line, this is 35% less space than a two-lane road, not to mention that it can carry more passengers !
CO2 emissions long distance transport
| TGV | 3.2 |
| Main line trains | 10.8 |
| Cars | 58.5 |
| Passenger cars (long distance) | 85.5 |
| planes | 145 |
