Use of renewable energy for transport in Europe

The share of energy from renewable sources used for transport in the EU increased from below 2% in 2005 to 8.7% in 2022, according to preliminary European Environment Agency (EEA) data. This is 5.3 percentage points below the 2030 target for the share of renewable energy used in transport. Progress among the EU Member States varies significantly, with the share of energy from renewable sources used for transport ranging from 4.4% in Greece and Ireland to 30.8% in Sweden.

In 2009, the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) set the target for transport in all Member States, where 10% of all energy used in transport should come from renewable sources by 2020. In 2020, 10.3% of the total energy used in transport in the EU was from renewable sources, following a steady increase in this share since 2005, when it was just under 2%. This indicates that the 2020 target of 10% was reached at the EU level.

In 2018, the new RED version, known as RED II, strengthened the sustainability criteria for bioenergy and set a new goal for 2030, increasing the target for the share of renewable energy used in transport to 14 % by 2030. In 2021, 9.1% of the total energy used in transport in the EU was from renewable sources. Preliminary EEA estimates suggest that this share fell further to 8.7% in 2022, which is 5.3 percentage points below the 2030 target.

The revision of the RED II is ongoing and a new target for renewables by 2030 is under discussion. In spring 2023, the European Parliament and the Council agreed to increase the EU's binding target for total renewable energy shares in electricity, heating and cooling and transport for 2030. To achieve this target in the transport sector, countries could choose from a binding target of a 14.5% reduction of greenhouse gas intensity in transport from the use of renewables or a binding share of at least 29% of renewables within the final consumption of energy in the transport sector by 2030. In addition, as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, the Commission proposed the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime regulations that aim to boost the uptake of renewable and low carbon fuels in these transport modes. These should further support the achievement of the renewable energy targets.

The extent of progress in achieving the current 2030 targets (of 14% renewable energy used in transport) varies among Member States. According to data from Eurostat shown in figure, Sweden and Finland appear to have already achieved their 2030 target level. Preliminary estimates for 2022 show that only five countries have reached a level of 10%, with two more very close to 10%.

Sweden, which has the highest share of energy from renewable sources in transport, has ambitious targets for the transport sector and uses energy and carbon taxes to achieve these targets: a carbon tax on fuels has been in place since 1991 and exemptions and reductions apply for sustainable biofuels.

Finland has been a leader in setting biofuel distribution obligations to blend a specific energy content of renewable fuel. This had led to significant reduction of road transport emissions as a result of a substantial increase of biodiesel consumption. However, renewable electricity constituted just 4% of total renewable energy used in transport in Finland in 2021. The remaining renewable energy in the share comes from biofuels.

Supporting information

DefinitionMethodology

Methodology for indicator calculation

The indicator uses information compiled by Eurostat (for historical trends), supplemented by the EEA’s own approximated estimates for the latest year. This is replaced by the Eurostat value when that becomes available.

The Eurostat data are based on information gained through annual energy statistics (as mandated by Regulation (EC) No 1099/2008 on energy statistics), and additional data required for the calculation of the share of energy from renewable sources in transport (RES-T), based on the RED. The EEA approximate estimates for the share are calculated in accordance with the methodology under RED.

The ratio determining a Member State’s RES-T share is defined in the RED. Article 3(4) defines both the numerator and the denominator of the ratio:

The denominator is the total amount of energy consumed in transport and includes: ‘petrol, diesel, biofuels consumed in road and rail transport, and electricity, including electricity used for the production of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin’.

The numerator defines the ‘energy from renewable sources consumed in transport’. It is the total of compliant biofuels (liquid and gaseous), renewable electricity, hydrogen of renewable origin, synthetic fuels of renewable origin and other forms of renewable energy consumed in the transport sector.

Methodology for gap filling

No gap-filling is applied.

Methodology references

SHARES Tool Manual Shares Tool Manual: Describes the Shares Tool that is designed to collect and present the information – the energy data – that is needed for the calculations as defined in Article 3 (transport sector) and Article 5 (overall target) of the Directive.

Policy/environmental relevance

The European Green Deal sets out the aim for a carbon neutral EU by 2050. This requires the decarbonisation of all sectors.

The transport sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, this sector has proven difficult to decarbonise. Increasing the share of renewable energy in the sector is a key means to reducing emissions and contributing to Europe’s goal of carbon neutrality.

The policy and targets for the energy sector as a whole, and specifically for the transport sector, were established in the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC (RED). It requires that all EU countries ensure that by 2020 at least 10% of the fuels in the transport sector come from renewable sources. The RED also established sustainability criteria for biofuels, which must be fulfilled to be considered in the target.

In 2018, the recast Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001/EU (RED II) was adopted. It extends the legal framework to 2030, setting new targets and extending the requirements for the sustainability of bioenergy. The target set in RED II for the share of energy coming from renewable sources in transport is 14%.

Targets
No targets have been specified for this indicator.

Metadata

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TypologyUN SDGsUnit of measureFrequency of dissemination

Use of renewable energy for transport in Europe

Figure 1. Share of energy from renewable sources used in transport in Europe

Figure 2. Share of energy from renewable sources used in transport by country

Supporting information

Methodology for indicator calculation

Methodology for gap filling

Methodology references

Related policy documents

Methodology uncertainty

Data sets uncertainty

Rationale uncertainty

Metadata

References and footnotes