Greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars in the U.S. 1990-2022

Passenger cars emissions in the United States fell 1.2 percent in 2022, to roughly 370 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). This accounted for around seven percent of U.S. net GHG emissions that year, and 20 percent of U.S. transportation sector emissions, making them the sector’s third-biggest polluters.

U.S. passenger car emissions reductions

The U.S. has made progress in cutting passenger car emissions over the past three decades, with emissions from these vehicles falling 43 and 34 percent from 1990 and 2005 levels, respectively. There are several factors for these reductions, such as improving emission rates in vehicles, 

Decarbonizing car emissions

If the U.S. is to achieve its climate ambitions, then a transition to zero-emission vehicles will be required. While battery electric vehicle sales in the U.S. are rising, they still account for a relatively small share of the market. In 2024, the Biden administration announced the strongest-ever emissions standards for new light-duty vehicles in a bid to slash tailpipe emissions and boost EV sales.