US Government Aims for Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

The US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, released in January 2023, has set an ambitious goal to eliminate carbon emissions from the transportation sector by 2050. The Blueprint specifies that transportation, the sector responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than any other, will have to play a leading role in achieving the objectives outlined.

While there are no specific steps planned to reach the targets, industry members have praised the interdepartmental commitment outlined in the memorandum of understanding signed by the US Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Experts have indicated that the trucking industry has already made great progress in reducing emissions of carbon and other pollutants. However, there are concerns that current technologies might not be advanced enough to achieve the Blueprint’s decarbonization goals.

The industry is expected to continue to work on reducing or eliminating harmful emissions, with battery-electric vehicles currently the frontrunner for decarbonization due to significant advancements in battery technology. However, the US Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook predicts that petroleum products and natural gas will still be the most-consumed energy sources by 2050.

The Blueprint suggests that 100% of electricity generation should come from renewable sources by 2050, but the EIA predicts that only 36% will be renewable. The Blueprint also highlights hydrogen as a potential power source for long-haul heavy trucks, but experts have raised concerns about its efficiency and cost.