Energy Efficiency in Transport
Transport can be classified as urban, intercity, regional, national and international transport. The main subsectors of the transport sector are road, rail, maritime and air transport. The main modes of urban transport are public transport, private vehicle use, and cycling and walking, which are defined as non motorised transport.
The transport sector is one of the most energy intensive sectors and one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels. The growing number of vehicles and increasing mobility needs have made energy efficiency one of the key priorities of transport policy.
In Türkiye, the number of motor vehicles increased from 8.9 million in 2003 to 22.7 million in 2018, representing an increase of 156% over the 2003–2018 period. This upward trend continued in subsequent years. According to TÜİK data, the total number of vehicles registered for road use reached 34.2 million as of April 2026.
Energy consumption in the transport sector has also grown rapidly in parallel with this increase. Transport sector energy consumption rose from 12.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2003 to 28.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2018. This corresponds to an increase of 129% over the 2003–2018 period. According to the latest data based on energy balance tables, energy consumption in the transport sector reached approximately 33.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2023.
When the limited use of biofuels and electricity is excluded, energy consumption in the transport sector is largely supplied by petroleum products and gaseous fuels such as LPG and CNG. Given that Türkiye imports a large proportion of its oil and gas, the potential impacts of energy efficiency measures in the transport sector on energy costs, dependence on imported energy and emissions become particularly significant.
In Türkiye, the number of motor vehicles increased from 8.9 million in 2003 to 22.7 million in 2018, representing an increase of 156% over the 2003–2018 period. This upward trend continued in subsequent years. According to TÜİK data, the total number of vehicles registered for road use reached 34.2 million as of April 2026.
Energy consumption in the transport sector has also grown rapidly in parallel with this increase. Transport sector energy consumption rose from 12.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2003 to 28.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2018. This corresponds to an increase of 129% over the 2003–2018 period. According to the latest data based on energy balance tables, energy consumption in the transport sector reached approximately 33.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2023.
When the limited use of biofuels and electricity is excluded, energy consumption in the transport sector is largely supplied by petroleum products and gaseous fuels such as LPG and CNG. Given that Türkiye imports a large proportion of its oil and gas, the potential impacts of energy efficiency measures in the transport sector on energy costs, dependence on imported energy and emissions become particularly significant.
As in many other countries, one of the most notable developments in Türkiye in both urban and intercity transport has been the increase in private vehicle ownership and the corresponding rise in the share of journeys made by car. The increasing preference for private car use is rapidly increasing energy consumption and emissions per passenger in both urban and intercity transport.
When energy consumption per passenger kilometre is considered, cars consume significantly more energy than buses and metro systems. Another important indicator is that a car carries three times fewer passengers than a minibus and thirteen times fewer passengers than a bus.
Strengthening public transport is therefore one of the most effective ways of improving energy efficiency in transport. It is particularly important to develop alternative public transport solutions in urban areas. In this context, urban planning should take into account that compact neighbourhood development, rather than dispersed settlement patterns, reduces transport demand.
In cities where maritime or water transport is possible, projects aimed at improving ferry and similar services are also important. New ferry terminals and the integration of bus routes with ferry terminals can help increase the share of maritime travel in urban transport.
Rail systems are known to provide significant energy savings in both passenger and freight transport. The development of metro and light rail systems is therefore an important step in improving energy efficiency.
Another approach that has become increasingly common in developed countries and, to some extent, in Türkiye is Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT. This approach was developed in the 1970s in response to the rapid growth of urban centres and increasing traffic congestion in Latin America and began to be implemented in Europe from the 1990s onwards. The best known example of this approach in Türkiye is the Metrobus system in Istanbul.
When establishing an effective public transport system in large cities, measures that reduce private vehicle use and make public transport more attractive should also be considered. Public transport systems should serve not only main roads but also secondary streets, while maintaining a high level of service and frequent operation.
The strict enforcement of parking restrictions in city centres, higher parking charges and limits on free parking can also help reduce private vehicle use.
When energy consumption per passenger kilometre is considered, cars consume significantly more energy than buses and metro systems. Another important indicator is that a car carries three times fewer passengers than a minibus and thirteen times fewer passengers than a bus.
Strengthening public transport is therefore one of the most effective ways of improving energy efficiency in transport. It is particularly important to develop alternative public transport solutions in urban areas. In this context, urban planning should take into account that compact neighbourhood development, rather than dispersed settlement patterns, reduces transport demand.
In cities where maritime or water transport is possible, projects aimed at improving ferry and similar services are also important. New ferry terminals and the integration of bus routes with ferry terminals can help increase the share of maritime travel in urban transport.
Rail systems are known to provide significant energy savings in both passenger and freight transport. The development of metro and light rail systems is therefore an important step in improving energy efficiency.
Another approach that has become increasingly common in developed countries and, to some extent, in Türkiye is Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT. This approach was developed in the 1970s in response to the rapid growth of urban centres and increasing traffic congestion in Latin America and began to be implemented in Europe from the 1990s onwards. The best known example of this approach in Türkiye is the Metrobus system in Istanbul.
When establishing an effective public transport system in large cities, measures that reduce private vehicle use and make public transport more attractive should also be considered. Public transport systems should serve not only main roads but also secondary streets, while maintaining a high level of service and frequent operation.
The strict enforcement of parking restrictions in city centres, higher parking charges and limits on free parking can also help reduce private vehicle use.
Public transport is not the only means of improving energy efficiency in transport. Appropriate planning of traffic signal systems can also reduce energy consumption by minimising stop and go traffic.
Installing and operating a green wave system at successive signal controlled junctions is an important measure for improving traffic flow in urban areas. The use of LED technology in road traffic signals can also reduce energy consumption. Municipalities should also regularly monitor the amount of electricity used to operate road traffic signal systems.
Smart traffic management applications can further improve energy efficiency in transport by reducing vehicle idling time and unnecessary fuel consumption.
Installing and operating a green wave system at successive signal controlled junctions is an important measure for improving traffic flow in urban areas. The use of LED technology in road traffic signals can also reduce energy consumption. Municipalities should also regularly monitor the amount of electricity used to operate road traffic signal systems.
Smart traffic management applications can further improve energy efficiency in transport by reducing vehicle idling time and unnecessary fuel consumption.
Türkiye has considerable potential to further promote cycling and walking, building on successful examples from across Europe.
Cities such as Konya and Bursa have prepared cycling plans, developed cycle lanes and invested in bicycle parking facilities at public transport stops. Some university campuses have also introduced systems known as public bicycle sharing schemes, under which bicycles can be collected from different points on campus and returned after use.
It should be remembered that 18 bicycles can be parked in the space occupied by one car, while 30 bicycles can travel in the road space occupied by a single car. Bicycles therefore offer significant advantages over cars in terms of both spatial efficiency and energy consumption.
Where travel distances are not particularly long, cycling also contributes to a healthier lifestyle.
Encouraging walking and cycling for short journeys can therefore help reduce both energy consumption and urban traffic congestion.
Cities such as Konya and Bursa have prepared cycling plans, developed cycle lanes and invested in bicycle parking facilities at public transport stops. Some university campuses have also introduced systems known as public bicycle sharing schemes, under which bicycles can be collected from different points on campus and returned after use.
It should be remembered that 18 bicycles can be parked in the space occupied by one car, while 30 bicycles can travel in the road space occupied by a single car. Bicycles therefore offer significant advantages over cars in terms of both spatial efficiency and energy consumption.
Where travel distances are not particularly long, cycling also contributes to a healthier lifestyle.
Encouraging walking and cycling for short journeys can therefore help reduce both energy consumption and urban traffic congestion.