Vehicles Identified as Top source of US carbon emissions

For the first time in 40 years in the United States, vehicle emissions have overtaken power plants as the top cause of greenhouse gas emissions. Experts say that this is not because of growth in vehicle emissions. Actually, the rate of growth has been flat from about 2000, based on the data compiled by the Energy Information Administration. The change has been caused due to the decrease in emissions from power plants.

According to a Bloomberg report, this is the first time since 1978 that carbon dioxide emissions from transportation are more than those from electricity production.
The automotive sector is also undergoing a period of great change. The EU and governments in leading automotive markets like China, US and India are tightening norms with regard to emissions. Nevertheless, the demand for vehicles continues to grow.

Just like the increase in use of wind and solar energy has significantly reduced the emissions from the power sector, greater use of electric vehicles due to supportive government policies, lower cost of batteries, greater availability and higher level of awareness among consumers could change the pollution scenario. Electric vehicles are expected to become more reliable, cheaper and more convenient by the middle of the next decade.