The share of renewable transport energy in European Union reached 9.6% in 2022, marking a slight increase from 2021 but still falling short of the ambitious 29% target set for 2030.
While this 0.5 percentage point increase represents progress, it’s not enough to stay on track for the EU’s climate goals. The bloc needs to significantly accelerate its efforts to decarbonize transportation, a sector responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sweden leads the development with a 29.2% share of renewables in transport, already exceeding the 2030 target. Finland also boasts a high share at 18.8%, but needs further improvement to reach the target. Other countries like the Netherlands, Malta, and Belgium hover around 10%, indicating progress but still requiring significant work.
However, the picture isn’t rosy across the board. Croatia, Latvia, and Greece lag behind with shares below 5%, highlighting the uneven progress within the EU. While Germany, the Netherlands, and Hungary saw the biggest increases in renewable transport share in 2022, even maintaining those rates won’t be enough to reach the 2030 goal.
The EU directive offers countries two options: achieve the 29% renewable energy target or reduce greenhouse gas intensity in transport by at least 14.5% by 2030. While the progress on renewables is slow, some countries might choose the alternative greenhouse gas reduction pathway.
The use of liquid biofuels, biomethane, and renewable electricity in road and rail transport contribute to the renewable energy share in transport. Further investments and policies are needed to expand these options and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels in the transportation sector.
This news story highlights the progress made by some EU countries in transitioning to renewable transport, while also emphasising the need for a significant collective effort to meet the ambitious 2030 goals.
Source: Eurostat
