Use of fossil fuels in transport
Well over 90 % of fuel used for transport comes from fossil fuels, mainly crude oil.
This is a problem because:
- Petrol and diesel come from non-renewable fossil fuels which will run out.
- Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, which contributes to global heating and climate change.
- Burning fossil fuels also releases pollution into the atmosphere, such as soot, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide - these are bad for our health.
The major types of fuel used for transportation in the UK are:
- Petroleum products — products made from crude oil and from natural gas.
- Biofuels — ethanol and biomass-based.
- Natural gas.
- Electricity (produced from many different energy sources, many of which are fossil fuels).
Of these, approximately 90 % of the UKs energy for transport comes from petroleum products.
The fuels are used in many different ways:
- Petrol is used in cars, motorcycles, light trucks, and boats. Aviation gasoline is used in many types of airplanes.
- Diesel is used mainly by trucks, buses, and trains and in boats and ships.
- Jet fuel is used in jet airplanes and some types of helicopters.
- Biofuels are added to petrol and diesel fuel.
- Natural gas is used in cars, buses, trucks, and ships.
- Propane is used in cars, buses, and trucks.
- Electricity is used by trains and electric vehicles.
