Transportation’s Carbon Footprint
In the United States, transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 30% of the total. Most of these emissions come from burning gasoline and diesel in cars, trucks, and airplanes. Every time we drive a gas-powered vehicle or ship goods across long distances using fossil fuels, we add more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Unlike power plants, which can be decarbonized at the source, transportation relies heavily on millions of mobile emitters. Tackling transportation emissions is essential to any serious climate strategy.
The Problem with Gasoline and Diesel
Internal combustion engines—still dominant in personal vehicles, freight, and aviation—burn fossil fuels to create motion, but in the process, they release CO₂, methane, and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to both climate change and air pollution. Vehicle tailpipes are a primary source of urban smog and health disparities, particularly in low-income and frontline communities near highways and distribution hubs. This isn’t just an emissions issue—it’s a justice issue. Reducing our reliance on gas and diesel engines is a critical step toward a cleaner atmosphere and healthier communities.
Electrification and Clean Alternatives
Electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, and public transit powered by renewable electricity offer immediate and scalable alternatives to fossil-fueled transportation. When paired with a decarbonized grid, EVs produce virtually zero tailpipe emissions. Public investments in clean transit, pedestrian infrastructure, and bike networks not only reduce greenhouse gases but also expand access and equity. Clean transportation technologies are here—we need the political will, community planning, and funding to make them widespread, affordable, and accessible to all.
Freight, Aviation, and the Global Supply Chain
Beyond personal vehicles, freight trucks, cargo ships, and airplanes contribute massively to emissions, especially with the rise of global e-commerce. These sectors are harder to decarbonize and often overlooked in climate conversations. However, emerging solutions—such as green hydrogen, electric freight corridors, and sustainable aviation fuels—can shrink their footprint. Reducing unnecessary transport, supporting regional supply chains, and shifting freight to lower-emission rail and sea routes are also crucial strategies. A climate-conscious transportation system must go beyond individual choices and address the entire logistics network.
Rethinking Movement, Reclaiming Climate
Addressing transportation emissions is about more than technology—it’s about rethinking how and why we move. Designing communities where people can live, work, and access services without long commutes reduces both emissions and burnout. Compact cities, walkable neighborhoods, and robust public transit not only fight climate change—they create healthier, more livable places. By building systems that prioritize people over cars, we can cut carbon, reclaim public space, and create a transportation future that reflects our climate values and serves generations to come.
For a quick review of the twelve-step explanation of the climate change problem, visit: The Twelve-step Climate Consensus
How bad are transportation emissions?
In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, transportation, (at 29%), ranks second only to utilities (33%) in its contribution to overall U.S. emissions. Fully 95% of the emissions from transportation come in the form of carbon dioxide so any reduction in these emissions can have a huge impact. Commuters are a large reason why suburban households are the greatest contributors to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions since, unlike inner city and rural residents, they travel back and forth on a daily basis, often by car.
Furthermore, because public transit contributes only about two thirds of the emissions per passenger mile travelled as does the private automobile, this imbalance could be redressed by increased use of public transit, especially if the buses are electric. Electric buses, such as the Zero Emissions Propulsion Systems (ZEPS) buses of Complete Coach Works emit substantially less greenhouse gases than the other transportation systems (Diesel, Diesel hybrids or CNG) even under current conditions. If powered by renewably generated electricity, the advantage would be zero enormous.
Additionally, according to the EPA, the health benefits of just one electric bus can reach as high as $55,000 per annum in health savings compared to the conventional diesel bus. Since the average life expectancy of a bus is 12 years, this means each bus produces two thirds of a million dollars in health benefits.
Different Modes, Different Effects.
Commercial Vehicles: Backbone of the Economy
From delivering food to stocking shelves, commercial vehicles—including freight trucks, delivery vans, and service vehicles—are essential to the functioning of our modern economy. Small businesses depend on them to reach markets, and rural communities rely on them for access to goods and services. These vehicles play a critical role in agriculture, construction, emergency response, and logistics. With the rise of online shopping and just-in-time shipping models, our dependence on commercial transportation has only deepened. In many ways, these vehicles are the circulatory system of the national and local economy—keeping everything from groceries to medicine moving efficiently.
Emissions from Heavy Transport
Despite their utility, commercial vehicles are among the highest emitters in the transportation sector. Heavy-duty trucks alone account for roughly 24% of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., even though they make up just a small fraction of vehicles on the road. They burn large volumes of diesel, emitting not only carbon dioxide but also black carbon, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter—pollutants linked to respiratory illness and environmental degradation. As freight traffic increases, particularly in urban corridors and port regions, the climate and health impacts of diesel-powered commercial transport are mounting. Decarbonizing this sector is both a technical and public health priority.
Everyday Convenience and Mobility
Passenger vehicles are deeply embedded in daily life, offering unmatched flexibility, autonomy, and convenience for commuting, errands, and recreation. In areas without robust public transit, cars are often a practical necessity, connecting people to jobs, schools, healthcare, and family. For rural communities and regions with limited infrastructure, personal vehicles may be the only viable option for mobility. Over the past century, the automobile has helped shape modern economies, housing patterns, and even cultural identity. As a tool for freedom and access, passenger vehicles remain central to American transportation norms and planning.
Major Source of Climate Pollution
Despite their utility, passenger vehicles are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In the U.S., they account for over half of transportation-related CO₂ emissions, primarily through the combustion of gasoline and diesel. These emissions not only contribute to global warming but also degrade local air quality, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. While electric vehicles (EVs) offer a cleaner path forward, the majority of cars on the road remain fossil-fueled. Even EVs carry embedded emissions from battery production and mining. Reducing our climate impact means driving less, driving cleaner, and rethinking our reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.
Aviation’s Global Reach and Economic Value
Aviation connects people, economies, and cultures across vast distances in ways no other mode of transport can. It enables global trade, tourism, disaster relief, and family reunification, and is essential for regions with limited access to road or rail infrastructure. The aviation industry supports millions of jobs worldwide, from airport staff and airline crews to aerospace manufacturers and supply chains. For many remote or island communities, air travel is a lifeline. In emergency situations—from medical evacuations to wildfire response—aircraft provide rapid, often life-saving mobility. Aviation has become a defining feature of the modern global economy.
High Emissions and Limited Alternatives
Despite its utility, aviation is a carbon-intensive mode of transportation. Commercial flights account for about 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, but their impact is magnified by high-altitude emissions of water vapor, nitrogen oxides, and contrails, which have an outsized warming effect. Unlike ground vehicles, aviation has few scalable low-carbon alternatives—current electric aircraft are limited to short distances and light payloads. Sustainable aviation fuels show promise but remain costly and underdeveloped. As demand for air travel continues to grow, especially in emerging economies, reducing aviation emissions presents one of the most complex challenges in the clean transportation transition.
The Case for Cycling
Bicycles are one of the most energy-efficient and climate-friendly modes of transportation available. They produce zero direct emissions, require no fossil fuels to operate, and significantly reduce traffic congestion and noise pollution. Biking supports public health, lowers transportation costs, and reduces wear on infrastructure compared to heavier vehicles. In urban areas, robust cycling networks can dramatically cut short-trip car usage, helping cities meet climate targets while improving livability. When paired with bike-share programs and multi-modal transit systems, cycling becomes a powerful tool for building low-carbon, equitable mobility options that scale with community investment.
Barriers and Limitations
Despite its many benefits, cycling is not a universal solution. Weather, distance, terrain, and physical ability limit who can bike regularly and safely. Many communities lack the necessary infrastructure—like protected bike lanes, secure storage, and traffic-calmed routes—to make cycling a viable or safe option for daily travel. In rural or suburban areas where distances are greater, cycling may be impractical without integration into a broader transportation system. Additionally, while the emissions from manufacturing bicycles are low, they’re not zero, and mass production still carries environmental costs. Expanding cycling’s role in climate mitigation requires intentional infrastructure planning and equity-focused design.
I’m thinking about buying a new car. What should I consider?
Here are few actions we take that could have a greater impact of our person greenhouse gas emissions footprint that the decision we make when buying a car. Despite the claims of the fossil fuel apologists that have entered the public arena that electric cars are no better than conventional vehicles because of the emissions associated with producing and disposing of the vehicle (especially the battery), reputable independent full life cycle analyses reveal that electric vehicles are definitely superior. A study by the European Energy Agency and a slightly narrower and recent study by Vancouver (BC) add more information. Whether electric vehicles receive their electricity from renewable sources (obviously optimal), or from coal-fired power plants, the greater efficiency of electric versus gasoline engines makes the electric option much more environmentally rational.
Climatic conditions will influence the efficiency of the vehicle, whether electric, hybrid of internal combustion engine but overall, the electric vehicle will always be the best choice for reducing emissions.
While electric vehicle, including plug-in hybrids, are generally more expensive than conventional gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles, federal and state incentives exist.
2021-Plug-in-Buyers-Guide by Bruce Borgerson is a valuable resource.
SOCAN’s Transportation History
ZEPS Northwest Tour
The ZEPS (Zero Emission Propulsion system) bus from Complete Coach Works will stop in the Rogue Valley as part of its Northwest Tour.
A 40’ 35 passenger ZEPS (Zero Emissions Propulsion System) bus from Complete Coach Works (CCW) is coming to Grants Pass January 12-13. It will offer many along the way a chance to experience an electric vehicle at work! The electric bus visit is a technology demonstration and an introduction to what clean renewable energy transit can bring to the Rogue Valley. Its ultimate destination is Grants Pass where it is under consideration for purchase by Josephine Community Transit (JCT). Neighboring cities of Ashland and Medford, have been added to the schedule en route to Grants Pass so these cities can take advantage of the visit.
This coming week we will be having two chances to learn more about the electric bus. A demonstration bus is coming up from the L.A. area to Grants Pass where they will “audition” the bus, along with two other manufacturers, for their upcoming purchase.
Transit Equity Day
In 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white passenger demanding it. She was jailed, setting off the 381-day boycott that contributed much to launching the civil rights movement. The 107th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ birth will be celebrated in the Rogue Valley on February 4th with a Transit Equity Day from 6:30 – 8:00 pm in the Gresham Room of the Ashland Public Library. The resistance of Rosa Parks illustrates will be used to underscore the rights of all people to high-quality public transportation powered by clean/renewable energy.
Transit Equity Day is a collaborative effort of several organizations and unions across the United States to promote public transit as a civil right. It is also a meaningful step in the fight to rein in climate change. Cars and trucks account for more than 50% of transportation related air pollution in the United States. Safe, reliable, environmentally-sustainable and affordable transit should be accessible to all, regardless of income, national origin, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability. It should reliably, efficiently and timely connect people in all communities to the places we need to be. In addition, living wages, benefits, safe working conditions, and union rights for transit workers should be in place.
Public transportation relieves congestion, increases economic output (for every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 in economic returns are generated) and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. We need a rapid transition of our transit systems (including school buses) to electrified, non-polluting vehicles powered by electricity from renewables. Citizens in urban areas deserve safe, healthy and livable neighborhoods that are connected by public transportation, by bicycle pathways and sidewalks, and that are planned to expand safe access to transit and reduce single occupancy vehicle miles traveled. And of course, ideally, we should have dedicated and sustainable public funding for public transit.
The local event promoting equitable, sustainable transportation is being held at the Ashland Public Library is being organized by Southern Oregon Climate Action Now’s Ashland Action team. Speakers include: Linda Peterson Adams (Ashland Citizens for Transit), Misha Hernandez (Regional Staff Oregon AFL-CIO), Marion Moore (Ashland Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission), and Paige West (RVTD).
Rethinking Streets: Lessons for Ashland
Across the U.S. and the world, communities ranging from small towns to large cities have implemented strategies to become easier and less stressful to get around without a car. By doing so, they’ve fostered more vibrant, active lifestyles, while also making meaningful reductions in traffic and local fossil fuel consumption.
The City of Ashland will be updating its state-mandated Transportation System Plan over the next year and a half. This Zoom program kick-offs a campaign to elevate the voices of residents who see the need for safer streets in Ashland. Come hear about this campaign and how you can get involved!
Guest Speaker: This presentation features Dr. Marc Schlossberg, an expert in street design for sustainability. Dr. Schlossberg is a Professor of City and Regional Planning in the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management. He is also Co-Director of the Sustainable Cities Institute and the lead author of three books on street redesign: Rethinking Streets, Rethinking Streets for Bikes, and Rethinking Streets During COVID-19. In 2016, Dr. Schlossberg won the University of Oregon Sustainability Award. Take a minute to hear him in this brief YouTube video.
What about electrifying public transportation?
Electric buses are rapidly replacing the heavily polluting buses of the past. In 2015 the federal Department of Transportation awarded Lane Transit District (LTD) a grant totaling nearly $3.5 million to buy and deploy five additional “zero-emission” electric buses for Eugene. The grant is part of the Federal Transit Administration’s Low- or No-Emission Vehicle Deployment Program, which was authorized in the FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) Act. The new buses replace old diesel buses that consumed 39,114 gallons of diesel fuel and idled for an estimated 2,951 hours each year. The new vehicles allow LTD to significantly reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter. Grants Pass is now ready to acquire an electric bus; JCT Program Supervisor, Scott Chancey, has arranged for the CCW bus visit to the Valley as part of their consideration for its purchase by JCT.
Americans are increasingly asking for cleaner cities as demonstrated by actions in Eugene. Showing the community’s enthusiasm for the purchase, when Lane Transit District officials announced their planned purchase of zero emission buses at an event organized by the Sierra Club, they unrolled a 50-foot banner of more than 1,000 signed postcards in support of cleaner buses. Backed by widespread community support, LTD is considering the purchase of more electric buses in years to come. In Eugene, LTD expects to save $42,550 from the five buses in equivalent fuel costs each year compared with diesel-electric hybrid models.
Communities in the Rogue Valley are turning to the electric bus as a means of decreasing their carbon footprint and in an attempt to provide a cleaner environment for residents and visitors. Zero emission buses are one important solution that will make our communities safer. Electric buses use electricity to power a battery, so there’s no gas guzzling, no dirty oil changes, no internal combustion engine, and no dirty exhaust. Whether it’s for buses or cars, electric vehicles are lower in emissions than conventional vehicles, even factoring in any emissions from the generation of electricity. And these electric buses and cars will get even cleaner over time as we switch to more renewable sources of power. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell buses, when the hydrogen is derived from solar, are an intriguing transit option to add to our future transit possibilities.
All-electric transit buses provide a significant emission reduction potential. These buses coupled with 100% renewable energy generation can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 204 Short Tons per bus per year. A full bus takes 40 cars off the road. By utilizing public transportation there is also an emissions savings due to the all-electric drive system.
In Ashland, the Transportation Commission plans to hold a special meeting in early February dedicated to transit within Ashland. Consult the City’s Website for details. This is an open invitation to envision the future together with the Commissioners. The regular meeting on March 23 will have transit as the major agenda item. For a city such as Ashland, CCW also offers a trolley alternative in keeping with the unique character of the city.