{"id":46423,"date":"2022-10-12T07:03:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T05:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eu-unit\/?p=46423"},"modified":"2025-07-02T09:09:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T07:09:12","slug":"transport-reforms-could-cut-e63-billion-off-bills-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eu-unit\/issues\/climate-energy\/46423\/transport-reforms-could-cut-e63-billion-off-bills-in-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Transport reforms could cut \u20ac63 billion off bills in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Brussels<\/strong> \u2013 Reforms in the transport sector could cut the EU\u2019s oil use for vehicles by 13%, and save people in Europe \u20ac63 billion on their bills per year, according to new research<\/a> by Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe. The calculations come as diesel fuel shortages<\/a> and cuts to oil production announced by the OPEC Plus energy cartel, spearheaded by Russia and Saudi Arabia, raise fears of further energy price rises amid an already desperate cost-of-living crisis.<\/p>\n\n

EU energy ministers are meeting in Prague to discuss the energy crisis, but reforms to the transport sector have so far mostly been absent from their discussions.<\/p>\n\n

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The analysis looks at the potential of a set of short- and mid-term measures to reduce oil consumption, save money and decarbonise transport. Measures like increased teleworking, more carpooling and lower speed limits could cut the EU\u2019s annual transport-related energy consumption by 50 million tonnes of oil \u2013 equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 120 million average cars.<\/p>\n\n

Thomas Gelin, Greenpeace EU transport campaigner, <\/strong>said: <\/strong>\u201cEurope\u2019s oil-addicted transport system is making the cost-of-living crisis worse for households, while wrecking the climate and fueling the war in Ukraine. Fuel prices are rising, but many people have no choice but to keep paying through the nose, unless the EU and governments provide alternatives. Banning needless short-haul flights and private jets, and boosting public transport with affordable \u2018climate\u2019 tickets, would cut oil use dramatically, and people\u2019s bills along with it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Europe\u2019s transport system is a major driver of the energy, climate and cost-of-living crises. Transport consumes more energy<\/a> than any other sector in the EU, using almost 70% of all the oil<\/a> in the EU, causing almost 30% of the EU\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions<\/a> and representing the second largest expense of EU households<\/a>, after housing. <\/p>\n\n

Initiatives in Germany and other EU countries to make public transport free or more affordable have proven to alleviate energy and living costs<\/a>, lead to less car usage and fewer traffic jams<\/a> in cities, and enable low-income households to access mobility services. The German \u201c\u20ac9 ticket\u201d and Spanish public transport scheme<\/a> have been some of the most popular policy to help with people\u2019s rising household bills during the energy crisis.<\/p>\n\n

While the European Commission has acknowledged the significant energy savings<\/a> potential in the transport sector, it has not proposed any EU-wide mandatory measures to save oil, as opposed to measures it has implemented to save gas and more recently electricity. <\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace is calling on European governments and the EU to make swift reforms in the transport sector to cut Europe\u2019s oil dependency, including a ban on short-haul flights, lower speed limits and affordable \u2018climate\u2019 tickets for public transport.<\/p>\n\n

Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Thomas Gelin, Greenpeace EU transport campaigner<\/strong>: +32 473 57 04 46, thomas.gelin@greenpeace.org<\/a> <\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace EU press desk<\/strong>: +32 (0)2 274 1911, pressdesk.eu@greenpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n

For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com\/GreenpeaceEU<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. We do not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties. Greenpeace has over three million supporters, and 26 independent national and regional organisations with offices in more than 55 countries.<\/p>\n\n

EU Transparency Register: 9832909575-41<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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