Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands: Which European countries have the greenest transport?

Sweden leads Europe in renewable energy usage in transportation, achieving a significant 33.7% share in 2023, surpassing the EU's target of 29% for 2030. This reflects a positive trend within the European Union, where the overall renewable share in transport reached 10.8% in 2023, showing a modest increase from the previous year. However, environmental advocates caution that the true share might be closer to 8% when accounting for certain promotional mechanisms for fuel types. Sweden's success is largely attributed to its rapid adoption of electric vehicles, although a considerable portion of its renewable transport energy relies on biofuels, including advanced and waste biofuels derived from materials like used cooking oil and animal fats. These sources now constitute 40% of all biofuels used in EU transport, raising concerns about sustainability and the potential impact on other industries, such as the use of palm oil. Finland, the Netherlands, and Austria are also making progress, with Finland at 20.7% renewable share. Despite the success, T&E emphasizes the need for a more significant pivot towards renewable electricity rather than relying primarily on biofuels to meet future targets. An expert in transportation would highlight that while Sweden's achievements are commendable, the heavy reliance on biofuels could hinder long-term sustainability goals. Immediate efforts should focus on enhancing the infrastructure for electric vehicles and increasing the share of renewable energy sources like wind and solar in the overall energy mix. Transitioning to a transport system that minimizes carbon emissions requires not just meeting quotas but ensuring that the underlying energy sources are genuinely sustainable and do not shift environmental burdens to other industries.