THE ECONOMY HID UNDERLYING POLICY DIFFERENCES

Emissions peaked in 2007 in both the U.S. and Europe before high fuel prices and then recession curbed and reversed emissions growth. This general pattern overshadowed the European automobile fleet’s more fuel efficient starting point, thanks in part to significantly higher fuel taxes in Europe than in the U.S.

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^subjectEmissions

These graphs show the changes in Transportation emissions and growth in the EU and the US

United States Emissions and transport activity

Both passenger and freight travel increased significantly since 1980. Passenger travel dropped significantly during the recession.

European Union Transportation emissions and passenger miles and freight transport index

Passenger miles and freight transport rose rapidly before declining as a result of the recession. Emissions grew slowly but steadily until they peaked in the mid-2000s.

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