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In the age of growing awareness of environmental and climate protection, the topics of “sustainable travel” and “sustainable mobility” are becoming increasingly important for both business and private travelers.
In an age of growing awareness of environmental and climate protection, topics like "sustainable travel" or "sustainable mobility" are becoming increasingly important for both business and private travelers. It's not just about ecological aspects, but also about social and economic concerns. How can one make their personal travel more sustainable, is this possible or just greenwashing? As a mobility service provider, it is crucial for us to promote sustainable tourism and, consequently, sustainable mobility. In this theme, we see ourselves as promoters of environmentally friendly travel, which we implement for the customer and thereby increase demand. In an era of increasing environmental and climate awareness, it makes sense to conduct a detailed comparison of various means of transport to enable sustainable and needs-based travel in Germany.
In this article, we conduct a detailed comparison of transportation modes for sustainable travel in Germany. Our focus is on airplanes, passenger cars, trains, as well as travel and long-distance buses. We concentrate on the most sustainable forms of these means of transport and critically examine sustainability. The goal is to identify the means of transportation that have both the least impact on the environment and meet the needs of travelers.
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Learn why sustainability holds great importance for us. For better mobility tomorrow and beyond.
In Germany, passenger cars (PKW) remain a popular means of traveling individually. However, the CO2 emissions of conventional combustion engines are considerable, averaging 147 grams per passenger kilometer. The popularity of the combustion engine may be due to the extensive, established infrastructure for gasoline and diesel stations, as well as the greater range compared to electric vehicles, especially for long-distance travel.
Switching to more environmentally friendly vehicles is crucial to reducing the negative environmental impacts of transport, improving air quality, and ensuring sustainable mobility for future generations. Environmentally friendly engines that use renewable energy or alternative fuels contribute to long-term, sustainable, and resource-efficient mobility .
Electric vehicles offer a sustainable alternative to conventional vehicles. They produce no direct CO2 emissions during operation as they rely on electric motors instead of burning fossil fuels . However, total emissions depend on power generation: If electricity comes from renewable sources, emissions are nearly zero; if it comes from a mix, fossil fuels are involved. Electric vehicles produce no exhaust gases like nitrogen oxides or particulate matter, which particularly improves air quality in urban areas. Moreover, electric motors are over 80% significantly more efficient than combustion engines, which convert only 20-30% of the energy used into motion energy.
Technological advances in charging infrastructure, battery technology, and motor efficiency continue to improve ecological travel with electric vehicles. This underscores the importance of the development and promotion of electromobility as a key element for sustainable travel and reducing the environmental impacts of individual transport.
In this article, we conduct a detailed comparison of transportation modes for sustainable travel in Germany. Our focus is on airplanes, passenger cars, trains, as well as travel and long-distance buses. We concentrate on the most sustainable forms of these means of transport and critically examine sustainability. The goal is to identify the means of transportation that have both the least impact on the environment and meet the needs of travelers.
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Air traffic faces the challenge of reducing its environmental impacts, with underfilled airplanes causing significantly higher CO2 emissions per passenger than optimally loaded flights. While short-term measures like CO2 compensation and improved load factors are important steps, only fundamental technological innovations and the shift to sustainable fuels are crucial long term for truly environmentally friendly aviation.
Compared to airplanes and cars, a train journey causes significantly less CO2 emissions. According to a study by the German Environment Agency, the CO2 emissions of a train journey are about one-tenth compared to a domestic flight – 32 grams per passenger kilometer in long-distance travel and 58 grams in local and regional transport. Trains have high capacity and can transport a large number of passengers.
With fully loaded trains, one can assume that CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer are further reduced , as the emissions produced can be distributed over more passengers. Additionally, trains offer the potential to transport goods by rail, which allows efficient use of transport space. Generally, one can speak of reduced traffic loads, as the use of trains helps keep roads and highways emptier . By shifting traffic from roads to rails, traffic jams and congestion are reduced, leading to an overall more efficient use of the transportation network.
The rail industry also relies on continuous and innovative technologies, to make rail operations more environmentally friendly. This includes not only improving direct train technology but also optimizing infrastructure and promoting sustainable operations for sustainable travel.
The main energy source for a railway is electricity, which can come from various sources, including renewable energies. Electrically operated trains do not produce
direct CO2 emissions during operation. However, this depends on the energy mix of the electricity used. An electricity mix from renewable energies allows for sustainable mobility, while no ecologically friendly electricity can be obtained from conventional, fossil electricity and heating sources. The railway industry is working to increase the proportion of renewable energies in the electricity supply of trains. By using solar energy, wind power, or other renewable energy sources , emissions can be further reduced.
Another major advantage of rail traffic is the possibility to use modern technologies that increase environmental friendliness, such as brake energy recuperation. The motors of the trains act as generators, converting kinetic braking energy directly into electrical energy that flows into the overhead lines of the trains. The resulting electricity can then be used by other trains or to power train stations.
Additionally, innovative approaches such as hydrogen trains are being explored to further minimize environmental impacts. At present, trains, especially in long-distance travel, are already a good option for sustainable mobility.
The bus strike of employees in the steel industry, supported by IG Metall, was an important milestone in the fight for a sustainable future. The employees passionately fought for green steel, which is more environmentally friendly and Made in Germany. For this, government supportis needed, as the investment volume for companies is hardly manageable to pay for the necessary technology.
Coaches and long-distance buses are currently the most environmentally friendly option for sustainable travel in Germany. They allow travelers to choose environmentally friendly options and reduce the use of private transport. According to the Federal Association of German Bus Companies e.V. , coaches can have a CO2 emission of about 29 grams per passenger kilometer and a long-distance bus of about 23 grams per passenger kilometer (as of 2020). The high passenger capacity also allows for a distribution of the resulting CO2 emissions among multiple passengers. By consolidating traffic in one bus, the roads are less burdened, and traffic emissions per person are reduced. Thus, coaches and long-distance buses produce the lowest amount of CO2 emissions.
These vehicles are also equipped with efficient engines and meet strict emission standards to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. By using such technologies and exhaust after-treatment systems, the environmental impact is further minimized.
Coaches and especially long-distance buses are already considered fuel-efficient. However, consumption depends on various factors, such as the vehicle type, load, route, and driving style. A predictive driving style, which includes gentle acceleration and braking, can reduce fuel consumption. Regular maintenance, including checking tire pressure and air filters, can also help improve efficiency.
In this article, we conduct a detailed comparison of transportation modes for sustainable travel in Germany. Our focus is on the areas of aircraft, passenger cars, trains, as well as coaches and long-distance buses. We focus on the most sustainable forms of these means of transportation and critically examine sustainability. The goal is to identify the means of transportation that has the least impact on the environment while also meeting the needs of travelers.
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