Sustainability is becoming increasingly important
In an age of growing awareness of environmental and climate protection, topics such as "sustainable travel" and "sustainable mobility" are becoming increasingly important for both business and private travelers. This is not only about ecological aspects, but also about social and economic concerns. How can you make your 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 therefore sustainable mobility. In this area, we see ourselves as promoters of environmentally friendly travel, which we implement for our customers and thus increase demand. In an age of increasing environmental and climate awareness, it makes sense to make a detailed comparison of different means of transport in order to enable sustainable and needs-based travel in Germany.
In this article, we carry out a detailed comparison of means of transport for sustainable travel in Germany. Our focus is on airplanes, cars, trains, coaches and long-distance buses. We concentrate on the most sustainable forms of these means of transportation and take a critical look at sustainability. The aim is to identify the mode of transport that has the least impact on the environment and meets the needs of travelers.
Find out why sustainability is so important to us. For better mobility tomorrow and beyond.
Passenger cars - flexibility with light and shade
Passenger cars are still a popular means of individual travel in Germany. However, the CO2 emissions of conventional combustion engines are considerable, averaging 147 grams per passenger kilometer. The popularity of the combustion engine could be due to the extensive, established infrastructure for petrol and diesel filling stations as well as the greater range compared to electric vehicles, especially for long-distance journeys.
However, switching to more environmentally friendly vehicles is crucial in order to reduce the negative environmental impact of transportation, improve air quality and ensure sustainable mobility for future generations. Eco-friendly engines that use renewable energy or alternative fuels contribute to long-term, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient mobility.
Electric vehicles offer a sustainable alternative to conventional vehicles. They do not generate any direct CO2 emissions while driving, as they are based on electric motors instead of burning fossil fuels. However, the total emissions depend on the electricity generation: If the electricity is sourced from renewable sources, the emissions are almost zero; if the electricity comes from a mix, fossil fuels are involved. Electric vehicles do not produce any exhaust gases such as nitrogen oxides or particulate matter during operation, which helps to improve air quality, especially in urban areas. In addition, electric motors with an efficiency of over 80% are significantly more efficient than combustion engines, which only convert 20-30% of the energy used into kinetic energy.
Technological advances in charging infrastructure, battery technology and engine efficiency are constantly contributing to the improvement of ecological travel with electric vehicles. This underlines the importance of developing and promoting electric mobility as a key element of sustainable travel and reducing the environmental impact of private transportation.
In this article, we carry out a detailed comparison of means of transport for sustainable travel in Germany. Our focus is on airplanes, cars, trains, coaches and long-distance buses. We concentrate on the most sustainable forms of these means of transportation and take a critical look at sustainability. The aim is to identify the mode of transport that has the least impact on the environment and meets the needs of travelers.
Good to know
Rail: sustainably in the fast lane
Compared to airplanes and cars, train travel causes significantly lower CO2 emissions. According to a study by the Federal Environment Agency, the CO2 emissions of a train journey are around a tenth of those of a domestic flight - 32 grams per passenger kilometer in long-distance transport and 58 grams in local and regional transport. Trains have a high capacity and can transport a large number of passengers.
With trains running at full capacity, it can therefore be assumed that CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer will be further reduced, as the emissions generated can be distributed among more passengers. In addition, rail offers the possibility of transporting goods by rail, which enables efficient use of transportation space. In general, one can speak of reduced traffic congestion, as the use of rail contributes to keeping roads and highways emptier. By shifting traffic from road to rail, congestion and traffic bottlenecks are reduced, leading to an overall more efficient use of the transport 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 of a train is electricity, which can come from various sources, including renewable energy. Electrically powered trains do not produce any direct CO2 emissions during operation. However, this depends on which energy mix of electricity is used. An electricity mix from renewable energy sources allows for sustainable mobility, while conventional fossil fuel-based electricity and heating sources cannot be used to generate environmentally friendly electricity. The rail industry is working on increasing the proportion of renewable energies in the power supply for trains. Emissions can be further reduced by using solar energy, wind power or other renewable energy sources.
Another major advantage of rail transportation is the possibility of using modern technologies that increase environmental friendliness, such as brake energy recovery. The engines of the trains serve as generators. This converts the kinetic braking energy directly into electrical energy, which flows into the overhead lines of the trains. The resulting electricity can then be used by other trains or to power stations.
In addition, innovative approaches such as hydrogen trains are being researched in order to further minimize the environmental impact. At the moment, trains are already a good option for sustainable mobility, especially in long-distance transportation.
The bus strike by employees in the steel industry, which was supported by IG Metall, was an important milestone in the fight for a sustainable future. The employees fought passionately for green steel, which is more environmentally friendly and made in Germany. This requires government support, as the investment volume is hardly affordable for the companies to pay for the required technology.
Sustainable mobility on the road - the coach
coaches and long-distance coaches 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 Bundesverband Deutscher Omnibusunternehmen e. V. coaches can be expected to emit around 29 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer and long-distance buses around 23 grams per passenger kilometer (as of 2020). The high passenger capacity also makes it possible to spread the CO2 emissions over several passengers. By bundling traffic into one bus, the roads are less congested and traffic emissions per person are reduced. This means that coaches and long-distance buses generate the lowest amount of CO2 emissions.
These vehicles are also equipped with efficient engines and meet strict emissions standards to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. The use of such technologies and exhaust aftertreatment systems further minimizes the environmental impact.
Coaches and especially long-distance coaches are generally considered to be fuel-efficient. However, fuel consumption depends on various factors, such as the type of vehicle, load, route and driving style. An anticipatory driving style, which includes smooth 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 carry out a detailed comparison of means of transport for sustainable travel in Germany. Our focus is on airplanes, cars, trains, coaches and long-distance buses. We concentrate on the most sustainable forms of these means of transportation and take a critical look at sustainability. The aim is to identify the mode of transport that has the least impact on the environment and meets the needs of travelers.
Our bus world
In our agt Bus World, we provide information about current developments in our company, as well as the latest topics and events in the bus and mobility industry.
In our agt Bus World, we provide information about current developments in our company, as well as the latest topics and events in the bus and mobility industry.