In energy terms, Transport is the main national energy consumer, according to the National Energy Balance for 2016, accounting for around 37% of total final energy consumption. Road transport, in particular, accounts for about 35,3%  of total final energy consumption, consuming around 95,3% of the final energy of the entire transport sector. 

This sector is also one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), with road transport emissions more harmful than those of other polluting sources, since they are emitted at local level. In cities and urban agglomerations, where populations live and work, the issue of air quality is particularly relevant since large parts of the population are exposed to concentrations of air pollutants which are often above the limits set.

In this regard, all initiatives that promote the reduction of energy consumption and pollutant gas emissions associated with road transport and, in particular, passenger cars, should be encouraged. These initiatives include the use of alternative technologies/fuels, shared mobility solutions, the use of collective public transport and more efficient driving.

Efficient driving, or ecodriving, is the adoption of driving habits to make the most of the technological characteristics of vehicles from an energy efficiency perspective. This type of driving has the following advantages:

– Reduction of average fuel consumption

– Reduction of GHG emissions

– Reduction in emissions of local atmospheric pollutants (carbon monoxide and particulate emissions)

– Increase in the comfort of drivers and the vehicle passengers

– Reduction in road accidents

An electric vehicle is a road vehicle which wholly or partially uses electrical propulsion, regardless of the solution used for the storage or production of electricity necessary for its operation. Electric mobility aims to improve the quality of life, especially in the urban environment, by reducing emissions of local air pollutants, and it is one of the alternatives available to minimise the negative impacts of the traditional transport sector.

The use of shared mobility solutions through the use of cars, bicycles or motorcycles is one of the current trends in mobility and is gaining increasing popularity in the urban environment. Carpooling, in addition to reducing congestion and noise, becomes even more interesting from an environmental point of view when using environmentally friendly mobility solutions, including cars, motorcycles and electric bicycles.

Carbon footprint can be taken to mean the environmental footprint associated with a product, service or organisation. In other words, it is an indicator of GHG emissions associated with the production/use of these same products, services or organisations. The calculation of the carbon footprint associated with a journey (by car, train or some other means of transport) is a good way of understanding the real environmental impact of the journeys made.