Skip to main content

Cars emit less CO2 per passenger km than buses

UK government emissions data shows that buses outside of London emit an average of 221g/km CO2e (CO2 equivalent) per passenger km compared to a small petrol car (201g/km), a small diesel car (172g/km) and a medium diesel car (215g/km). A car containing two people would obviously halve these figures. London buses, because of their higher average occupancy, fare better at 102g/km.
May 4, 2012 Read time: 1 min
UK government emissions data shows that buses outside of London emit an average of 221g/km CO2e (CO2 equivalent) per passenger km compared to a small petrol car (201g/km), a small diesel car (172g/km) and a medium diesel car (215g/km).  A car containing two people would obviously halve these figures. London buses, because of their higher average occupancy, fare better at 102g/km.

"Perhaps those who criticise lone car drivers should turn their attention to empty off-peak buses instead,” says Paul Biggs, environment spokesman at the Association of British Drivers. “Although buses provide an important public service, even London can only manage an average occupancy of around 15 passengers. Modern efficient cars outperform buses not just for CO2 emissions, but for genuine pollutants as well," Biggs adds.

Related Content

  • Tackling congestion – with tough decisions
    July 8, 2016
    As editor of World Highways, information is provided on a great deal of revolutionary new traffic technology. Some of these new innovations offer major advantages in cutting congestion; smart systems that can regulate traffic flow or reduce risks for commuters. But it is worth remembering too that some of the solutions to urban transportation, as well as cutting urban pollution, have been around for a very long time. The humble bicycle is a highly efficient machine for transportation over comparatively shor
  • England’s motorways not safe enough for 80mph limit, says RSF
    May 11, 2012
    England’s motorway network is not safe enough to have the speed limit raised to 80mph, according to a new report from the Road Safety Foundation (RSF). Titled ‘Unfit for 80’, the report says poorly-maintained and inadequate roadside protection and the rapidly rising risk of shunt crashes from the sheer volume of traffic using England’s motorways are key factors of safety concern. The RSF document has been published while the Government continues to consider a review of the motorway speed limit. Last autumn,
  • Volvo cars are no electric dream
    December 13, 2017
    The recent news that Volvo will stop manufacturing cars powered purely by internal combustion engines and build only electric vehicles or hybrids by 2019 is the most significant announcement in the automotive sector for some years. The market for electric vehicles (EVs) has been growing over time, aided by improvements in battery technology that have boosted range and performance. Nissan Renault and Tesla have made particular gains, the former by developing sophisticated EVs that sit alongside its
  • Chile’s new urban highway link
    May 2, 2022
    Nestling in a valley beside the Andes mountain range, Santiago has a growing population and has suffered from increasingly heavy congestion in recent years, requiring a new urban road link for which safety has been set as a priority for drivers - *iRAP reports