A historic overtaking, happening for the first time since the 1970s. The American transport sector produces more CO2 emissions than thermal power stations generating electricity. The news comes from the US Energy Information Administration, which in its annual report explains how, on the one hand, emissions from the energy sector have fallen, while on the other, those linked to transport have risen slightly, bringing about the overtaking.

settore dei trasporti — CO2 emissions from the transport sector in 2016 surpassed those from the electricity generation sector. Photo via David McNew/Getty

"CO2 emissions from the transport sector in 2016 surpassed those from the electricity generation sector," the report states. This overtaking is said to have come about thanks to the energy policies pursued by the Obama administration over the past eight years: a reduction in coal and an increase in gas and renewables in the energy mix. "In the electricity generation sector, coal plants have been replaced mainly by new gas, solar and wind capacity, which reduces CO2 emissions," the Annual energy outlook continues.

rinnovabili Stati Uniti — In the electricity generation sector, coal plants have been replaced mainly by new gas, solar and wind capacity, which reduces CO2 emissions. Photo via David McNew/Getty

How many emissions does the transport sector produce

According to data provided by the federal agency, the entire sector produced 1.9 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, compared with 1.8 billion tonnes from thermoelectric power stations. Historically, the energy sector has always produced more CO2 than the transport sector. The peak came in 2008, with 2.4 billion tonnes from power stations and 2 billion from vehicles. Transport, meanwhile, after a reduction to 1.8 billion tonnes from 2008 to 2011, over the past five years saw a slight increase in its emissions, reaching 1.9 billion in 2016. The spread of electric and hybrid vehicles has not been enough to offset the heavy emissions of American cars, traditionally large and high-engined. Coal-based energy has fallen by more than a third over the past ten years, while sources such as natural gas (60 per cent), wind and solar power have increased.

The future of American mobility? It's electric

Bloomberg writes, drawing on data from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, that investments in electric cars could replicate what has already happened in the energy sector: reversing and reducing emissions. Battery prices have fallen by around 8 per cent a year, and electric cars are on the verge of becoming cheaper, more economical and more reliable.

Transport is now the sector producing the most CO2 emissions in the US