Global Transportation Energy 

Consumption: Examination of 

Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD

September 2017

Independent Statistics & Analysis

www.eia.gov

U.S. Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585
U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD i

This report was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and 

analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analyses, and forecasts are 

independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the United States Government. The views 

in this report therefore should not be construed as representing those of the U.S. Department of Energy 

or other federal agencies
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD ii

Table of Contents

Figures.......................................................................................................................................................... iii

Tables........................................................................................................................................................... iv

List of Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... v

Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................................1

Preface ..........................................................................................................................................................3

1. EIA’s Global Modeling Systems.................................................................................................................4

2. IEO2016 Reference case ...........................................................................................................................6

2.1 Low Liquids Demand case................................................................................................................10

2.2 High Liquids Demand case...............................................................................................................13

2.3 Diesel Reduction in Europe case......................................................................................................17

3. Updated Macroeconomic Reference case..............................................................................................20

3.1 Low Growth in China case ...............................................................................................................20

4. Updated ITEDD Model Reference case...................................................................................................22

4.1 Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case ....................................................................................................31

4.2 Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case.......................................................................32

5. Conclusions.............................................................................................................................................35
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD iii

Figures

Figure 1. Transportation liquid fuels consumption in worldwide scenarios for OECD and non-OECD

 countries in 2040......................................................................................................................................2

Figure 2. IEO2016 Reference case transportation energy consumption......................................................6

Figure 3. IEO2016 Reference case world transportation energy consumption by fuel................................7

Figure 4. IEO2016 Reference case new LDV sales shares in 2015-2040 for OECD and non-OECD

 countries...................................................................................................................................................8

Figure 5. IEO2016 Reference case LDV fuel consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries.....................9

Figure 6. IEO2016 Reference case medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption in OECD and non-

 OECD countries.........................................................................................................................................9

Figure 7. IEO2016 Reference case and Low Liquids Demand case transportation energy consumption ..10

Figure 8. Change in non-OECD energy consumption between 2015 and 2040 in the Low Liquids 

 Demand case .........................................................................................................................................11

Figure 9. Change in non-OECD energy consumption by mode between 2015 and 2040 in the 

 Low Liquids Demand case......................................................................................................................12

Figure 10. Low Liquids Demand case LDV fuel consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries...............12

Figure 11. Low Liquids Demand case medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption in OECD and 

 non-OECD countries...............................................................................................................................13

Figure 12. IEO2016 Reference case and High Liquids Demand case transportation energy consumption 14

Figure 13. Worldwide transportation energy consumption by mode in the IEO2016 Reference case and

 High Liquids Demand case......................................................................................................................15

Figure 14. Change in energy consumption between 2015 and 2040 in the High Liquids Demand case....16

Figure 15. High Liquids Demand case fuel consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries .....................16

Figure 16. Motor gasoline and diesel LDV sales shares in Europe..............................................................17

Figure 17. European motor gasoline and diesel LDV energy consumption................................................18

Figure 18. New motor gasoline and diesel LDV fuel efficiency...................................................................19

Figure 19. Chinese GDP growth: Updated Macro Reference case and Low Growth in China case............20

Figure 20. Transportation fuel consumption in China by mode in the Updated Macro Reference case and

 Low Growth in China case ......................................................................................................................21

Figure 21. Transportation fuel consumption in China in the Updated Macro Reference case and Low 

 Growth in China case..............................................................................................................................21

Figure 22. Total LDV sales in the IEO2016 and Updated ITEDD Reference cases.......................................23

Figure 23. Difference between LDV stock by vehicle power train in the IEO2016 Reference case and 

 Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040.................................................................................................24

Figure 24. Updated ITEDD Reference case LDV sales in OECD and non-OECD countries...........................24

Figure 25. Updated ITEDD Reference case LDV technology sales shares in OECD and non-OECD 

 countries.................................................................................................................................................25

Figure 26. Difference in LDV energy consumption by fuel type between the IEO2016 Reference case and

 the Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040...........................................................................................26

Figure 27. Updated ITEDD Reference case LDV energy consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries.26

Figure 28. Updated ITEDD Reference case bus energy consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries..27

Figure 29. Difference in bus energy consumption by fuel between the IEO2016 Reference case and the

 Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040.................................................................................................28

Figure 30. Updated ITEDD Reference case bus energy consumption shares in OECD and non-OECD 

 countries.................................................................................................................................................29

Figure 31. Updated ITEDD Reference case medium- and heavy-duty vehicle energy consumption in 

 OECD and non-OECD countries..............................................................................................................30
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD iv

Figure 32. Difference in medium- and heavy-duty vehicle energy consumption by fuel between the 

 IEO2016 Reference case and the Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040............................................30

Figure 33. Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case LDV technology sales shares in OECD and non-OECD 

 countries.................................................................................................................................................31

Figure 34. Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case LDV technology sale shares in OECD 

 and non-OECD countries........................................................................................................................32

Figure 35. Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case bus consumption shares in OECD and 

 non-OECD countries...............................................................................................................................33

Figure 36. Updated ITEDD Reference case and Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case 

 medium- and heavy-duty vehicle natural gas consumption shares in OECD and non-OECD regions...34

Figure 37. Transportation energy consumption for worldwide cases by OECD and non-OECD countries 

 in 2040....................................................................................................................................................35

Figure 38. Transportation petroleum-based energy consumption in OECD countries in 2040 .................36

Figure 39. Transportation petroleum-based energy consumption in non-OECD countries in 2040..........37

Tables

Table 1. Reference case and side case alignment.........................................................................................5

Table 2. Transportation energy consumption for cases in 2040 (quadrillion Btu).....................................38
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD v

List of Abbreviations

Btu British thermal units

CNG compressed natural gas

CO2 carbon dioxide

EV electric vehicle

GDP gross domestic product

IEO International Energy Outlook

ITEDD International Transportation Energy Demand Determinates

LDV light-duty vehicle

LNG liquefied natural gas

LPG liquefied petroleum gas

MMA make and model availability

NG natural gas

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

PHEV plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

WEPS+ World Energy Projection System Plus
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 1

Executive Summary

Energy consumption in the transportation sector is evolving. Over the next 25 years, the U.S. Energy 

Information Administration’s (EIA) International Energy Outlook (IEO) 2016 Reference case projects that 

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries’ transportation energy 

consumption will remain relatively flat. In contrast, non-OECD countries will grow to levels higher than 

in OECD countries by the early 2020s. This rapid non-OECD growth results in continued transportation 

energy consumption growth through at least 2040. 

Some significant uncertainties exist in future transportation energy consumption. This study examines

the potential energy impacts associated with some of those uncertainties using EIA’s new international 

transportation model – the International Transportation Energy Demand Determinants (ITEDD) model.

The model outputs presented here are produced in a standalone run, rather than in an overall 

integrated global dynamic framework, and as such, are intended to be more illustrative than conclusive. 

However, the fundamental issues, and the use of more detailed modeling for capital stock and 

transportation demand, both set the stage for fully integrated analysis in future EIA work and provide 

new insights and reference points for related work.

One area of uncertainty in modeling the transportation sector is consumer preference and rates of 

vehicle ownership. Will consumers desire more fuel-efficient vehicles and will they prefer public 

transportation to individual vehicle ownership? Or will the reverse happen where consumers place a 

high value on vehicle attributes other than fuel economy improvement and desire the personal mobility 

and flexibility of owning and using a vehicle? 

Another area of uncertainty in modeling the transportation sector is government policy. For example, 

several countries (Canada, China, European Union, Japan, Mexico, and the United States) have enacted 

light-duty vehicle fuel economy standards. A few countries (Canada, China, Japan, and the United 

States) also have enacted fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles. Although vehicles are 

designed for a global market, some uncertainty remains regarding the growth in vehicle demand in nonregulated markets, whether those countries will adopt fuel economy standards, and how efficient 

vehicles will need to be to meet consumer preference or newly enacted fuel economy standards. Some

policies encourage the adoption of alternative-fueled vehicles by consumers or require the production 

of alternative-fueled vehicles by automobile manufacturers. These policies exist for on-road vehicles but 

in the future could affect trains and marine vessels. Depending on what fuels are being replaced and 

what other policies exist or might be put in place, the effect on total transportation energy consumption

could range from large to none. 

This study considered six worldwide scenarios and two region-specific scenarios to examine future 

transportation energy consumption. The six global scenarios presented are the following:

 International Energy Outlook (IEO) 2016 Reference case

 High Liquids Demand case

 Low Liquids Demand case

 Updated ITEDD Reference case

 Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case

 Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidy case
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 2

The first scenario is the EIA’s International Energy Outlook 2016 (IEO2016) Reference case projections.

The second and third scenarios (High and Low Liquids Demand) were developed by adjusting consumer 

preferences and policies. The third scenario (Updated ITEDD Reference case) reflects the IEO2016 

Reference case with ITEDD updates to the on-road module to allow for more refined policy 

implementation. The last two worldwide scenarios focus on different light- and/or heavy-duty vehicle 

alternative fuel policies. 

Across the worldwide scenarios the projections show that non-OECD countries experience greater 

differences in transportation liquids consumption than OECD countries (Figure 1). Non-OECD countries 

experience more growth in their transportation sectors than OECD countries in the reference cases, 

through 2040. Because many people in non-OECD countries are purchasing vehicles for the first time

during the projection period, changes in vehicle fuel economy or fuel choice can have an effect more 

quickly than in countries with existing large vehicle stocks. Through consumer preference and policy it is 

easier for developing countries to have more moderate growth in personal vehicle ownership and 

personal vehicle-miles traveled than in developed countries that already have high vehicle-per capita 

ratios. However, developing countries could reach OECD-level vehicle per capita ratios more quickly

than currently projected. 

Figure 1. Transportation liquid fuels consumption in worldwide scenarios for OECD and non-OECD 

countries in 2040

Two region-specific scenarios were also considered. The first scenario adjusts consumer preference and 

policies in OECD Europe to reduce light-duty vehicle diesel sales. This scenario made no assumption

about which powertrain would take the place of diesel vehicles. Based on make and model availability 

and price, motor gasoline vehicles sales more than offset the reduction in diesel sales. The second 

region-specific scenario considered the effects on the transportation sector of slower GDP growth in 

China than the current forecast. The slowdown in China’s GDP growth results in reduced passenger

travel and freight travel. 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

IEO2016

Reference case

High Liquids

Demand case

Low Liquids

Demand case

Updated ITEDD

Reference case

NG Vehicle

Subsidy case

NG Price and

Infrastructure

Subsidy case

Transporation liquid fuels energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD Non-OECD
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 3

Preface

The movement of people and products is an important factor in determining the potential growth in 

international energy demand. As part of our overall effort to expand modeling and analytical capability 

to understand global energy demand, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has developed a 

new global transportation energy model, the International Transportation Energy Demand Determinants 

(ITEDD) model, within the World Energy Projection System Plus (WEPS+) model. ITEDD examines in 

greater detail issues related to demand for transportation services and associated uncertainties and 

demand for energy.

Analyses presented in this report are based on model results for a number of international 

transportation energy consumption scenarios using ITEDD. This analysis demonstrates new EIA modeling 

and analysis capabilities, presents examples of key energy-demand determinants, and shows how a 

quantitative framework can aid in understanding them. The model outputs presented here are not 

produced in an overall integrated global dynamic framework (discussed below) and, as such, are 

intended to be more illustrative than conclusive. However, the fundamental issues, and the use of the 

new, more detailed capital stock and transportation demand modeling, both set the stage for fully 

integrated analysis in EIA publications and provide interested parties with new insights and reference 

points for related work. The new model’s documentation and framework (Component Design Report),

together with the results in this report, contribute to a stronger base for research, analysis, and 

discussion of global energy demand topics.

The IEO2016 Reference case, including corresponding input assumptions and modules, was used in this 

analysis, but some scenarios also reflect updates incorporated in other WEPS+ modules to test the

ITEDD response. As such, multiple Reference cases were developed and are described in this report 

along with the scenarios associated with those Reference cases.

This report begins with a brief description of the global transportation modeling system and then 

describes, by section, the Reference case, corresponding sensitivity cases, and results for each of the 

topic areas examined. It concludes with a summary of the energy impacts examined in the analyses.
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 4

1. EIA’s Global Modeling Systems

WEPS+ is used to project global energy supply, demand, and prices. We present the results of the 

WEPS+ model EIA uses in the International Energy Outlook (IEO). The model consists of four demand 

modules (residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation); two transformation models (electricity 

generation and district heating); five supply models (petroleum, natural gas, coal, and two refinery 

models); and two additional submodules (macroeconomic and greenhouse gas emission models). The 

ITEDD model is the transportation submodule in WEPS+. We first used the ITEDD model in the IEO2016 

analysis.

1

Energy consumption by passenger and freight travel is determined in the ITEDD submodule by mode 

and fuel. The four transportation modes are on-road, rail, water, and air. Each of these modes is divided

into sub-modes for passenger and freight travel. The six on-road sub-modes are light-duty vehicles 

(private and commercial), 2- and 3-wheel vehicles, buses, light-duty trucks, medium-duty trucks, and 

heavy-duty trucks. The first three on-road sub-modes are passenger services measured in passengermiles. The latter three are freight services measured in ton-miles. WEPS+ considered 13 fuel types, but 

this report focuses on seven fuels of interest to transportation services– motor gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, 

residual fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and electricity. 

The ITEDD model solves for energy consumption in the transportation sector for the 16 WEPS+ regions. 

Seven of the regions are part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) –

United States, Canada, Mexico/Chile, OECD Europe, Japan, Australia/New Zealand, and South Korea. The 

remaining nine regions consist of non-OECD countries – Russia, Other Non-OECD Europe and Eurasia, 

China, India, Other Non-OECD Asia, Middle East, Africa, Brazil, and Other Central and South America. 

After first using the ITEDD model in IEO2016, we ran additional side cases. Two of these side cases – the 

High Liquids Demand case and Low Liquids Demand case –tested the flexibility of the model. These 

cases help to inform the development of new modeling capabilities in the ITEDD model that are 

highlighted in two other cases – the Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case and the Natural Gas Price and 

Infrastructure Subsidies case. These cases showed the potential effect of policies on accelerating the 

adoption of alternative fuels as on-road transportation fuels. The remaining cases focus on potential 

region-focused events – the Diesel Reduction in Europe case and the Low Growth in China case. 

These cases are from different stages of ITEDD model refinement and consequently are based on 

different reference cases (baselines) (Table 1). The first set of cases uses the IEO2016 Reference case as 

a base for the analysis – High Liquids Demand case, Low Liquids Demand case, and Diesel Reduction in 

Europe case. An overview of the first set of cases is provided in Section 0. The second Reference case 

includes the same ITEDD model, but the macroeconomic variables were updated (Section 0). Only the 

Low Growth in China case uses the second Reference case. The last Reference case (Section 0) uses an 

updated version of the ITEDD model. Two cases use the third Reference case - Natural Gas Vehicle 

Subsidy case and Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case.

 

1 The previous transportation model was the International Transportation Model (ITran).
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 5

Table 1. Reference case and side case alignment 

IEO2016 

Reference case

Updated Macro 

Reference case

Updated ITEDD

model

Reference case

Low Liquids Demand case X

High Liquids Demand case X

Diesel Reduction in Europe case X

Low Growth in China case X

Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case X

Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case X
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 6

2. IEO2016 Reference case

The Low Liquids Demand case, the High Liquids Demand case, and the Diesel Reduction in Europe case 

are all based on the IEO2016 Reference case. Worldwide transportation energy consumption is 

projected to reach 151 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2040, an increase of 44 quadrillion Btu 

from 2015 in the IEO2016 Reference case (Figure 2). Through 2020, OECD countries are projected to 

consume more energy for transportation than non-OECD countries. Transportation energy consumption 

in OECD countries remains relatively flat through the projection period because fuel efficiency 

improvements keep pace with increases in energy demand. However, transportation energy 

consumption in non-OECD countries increases throughout the entire projection period. This growth 

occurs because demand for transportation services in non-OECD countries, due to population and GDP 

growth, outpaces fuel efficiency improvements realized in the transportation modes delivering those 

services. 

Figure 2. IEO2016 Reference case transportation energy consumption

Petroleum-based liquid fuels currently account for most of global transportation energy consumption 

and will continue to do so through 2040 in the IEO2016 Reference case (Figure 3). However, demand for 

natural gas as a transportation fuel grows more than any other transportation fuel, increasing from 1.6 

quadrillion Btu in 2015 to 12.7 quadrillion Btu in 2040. As with overall transportation energy 

consumption growth, most of this growth in natural gas use occurs in non-OECD countries because

countries in several regions have policies in place to support the growth of natural gas in vehicles,

including the Middle East and Other non-OECD Asia. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Transportation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

World

Non-OECD

OECD

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

million barrels per day oil equivalent
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 7

Figure 3. IEO2016 Reference case world transportation energy consumption by fuel

In the IEO2016 Reference case, three main attributes were considered when determining light-duty 

vehicle (LDV) sales: vehicle price, the cost of driving, and make and model availability (MMA). MMA 

represents the availability of each type of vehicle in the market. When a new vehicle type is introduced, 

such as a plug-in hybrid electric or natural gas vehicle, generally only a few manufacturers sell it in a few 

models. A low MMA tends to reduce market share because the model varieties some consumers wish to 

buy are not available. As a vehicle type becomes more popular, more models are offered, which in turn 

makes that vehicle type attractive to more customers.

Vehicles fueled by motor gasoline are the primary new LDV sold throughout the projection period,

although alternative-fueled vehicles do gain market share (Figure 4). In OECD countries, the primary 

alternative-fueled vehicles at the end of the projection period are electric and plug-in hybrid electric 

vehicles. The combined share of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in OECD countries increases 

from less than 1% in 2015 to 10% in 2040. In non-OECD countries, diesel, natural gas, and electric and 

plug-in hybrid electric vehicles experience a three-to-five percentage point increase in the total share of 

LDVs sold in non-OECD countries. In 2040, diesel and natural gas vehicles each represent approximately 

11.5% of the total LDV new sales market in non-OECD countries, and electric and plug-in hybrid electric 

vehicles combined represent 4.5%. 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Transportation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Jet fuel Residual fuel Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 8

Figure 4. IEO2016 Reference case new LDV sales shares in 2015-2040 for OECD and non-OECD 

countries

Despite increases in the share of alternative-fueled LDVs in OECD countries, motor gasoline remains the 

primary transportation fuel. Overall OECD LDV fuel consumption decreases from 32 quadrillion Btu in 

2015 to 25 quadrillion Btu in 2040 (Figure 5). Motor gasoline and diesel consumption both decrease by 

approximately 20% during the projection period. These results are largely influenced by improvements 

in fuel economy as a result of fuel economy standards in most OECD countries. The share of motor 

gasoline decreases from 79% of the LDV transportation energy consumption in 2015 to 76% in 2040. The 

natural lag due to vehicle stock turnover means the fuel consumption of alternative-fueled vehicles is 

still relatively low by 2040.

In non-OECD countries, where more people will purchase a vehicle for the first time during the 

projection period than in OECD countries, LDV fuel consumption more than doubles between 2015 and 

2040, increasing from 16 quadrillion Btu to 35 quadrillion Btu (Figure 5). Motor gasoline increases from 

13 quadrillion Btu in 2015 to 26 quadrillion Btu in 2040 but, as a percent of LDV fuel consumption,

decreases from 80% to 75% between 2015 and 2040. Natural gas energy consumption as a percent of 

total LDV energy consumption increases by almost four percentage points over the projection period. 

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

share

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas EV/PHEV

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 9

Figure 5. IEO2016 Reference case LDV fuel consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries

Growth in fuel consumption in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector comes mainly from nonOECD countries (Figure 6). Total medium- and heavy-duty fuel consumption increases from 15.1

quadrillion Btu in 2015 to 23.6 quadrillion Btu in 2040 in non-OECD countries. In OECD countries, 

medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption increases from 10.4 quadrillion Btu in 2015 to 12.0

quadrillion Btu in 2040. Diesel remains the primary fuel consumed in both OECD and non-OECD 

countries during the projection period. However, as a result of relative fuel costs of natural gas and 

diesel, natural gas fuel use increases from less than 1% of all fuel consumed to 6% and 17% of mediumand heavy-vehicles for OECD and non-OECD countries, respectively. 

Figure 6. IEO2016 Reference case medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption in OECD and 

non-OECD countries

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV fuel consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

0

5

10

15

20

25

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 10

2.1 Low Liquids Demand case

The Low Liquids Demand case tests the flexibility of the newly developed ITEDD model. In this case,

policies and consumer preferences were changed to reflect possible events that could lead to lower

liquids and energy consumption in the transportation sector. The changes were assumed to begin in 

2021. Most of the changes were in the LDV sector:

 LDV ownership growth rates were lowered

 Region-specific consumer preference coefficients for LDV purchase by fuel and technology type 

and rate of change were allowed to increase the preference for alternative-fuel vehicles

 Prices of new alternative-fuel LDVs were changed to reflect either technology cost reduction or 

subsidy increase

Fuel economy standards for LDVs were not changed from the IEO2016 Reference case for this scenario.

Additional changes were made in the freight sector:

 Increased the rates of fuel efficiency improvement for rail and marine

 Increased load factors for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles

 Increased the willingness to fuel switch for all freight modes

Worldwide transportation energy consumption was 21 quadrillion Btu lower in the Low Liquids Demand 

case than in the IEO2016 Reference case in 2040 (Figure 7). Most of the difference between the IEO2016 

Reference case and the Low Liquids Demand case occurs in non-OECD countries. 

Figure 7. IEO2016 Reference case and Low Liquids Demand case transportation energy consumption

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Transportation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

OECD Reference case OECD Low Liquids Demand case

Non-OECD Reference case Non-OECD Low Liquids Demand case

World Reference case World Low Liquids Demand case

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 11

In the Low Liquids Demand case, natural gas increases by 20 quadrillion Btu across all non-OECD regions 

between 2015 and 2040 (Figure 8). Natural gas replaces motor gasoline and diesel in LDV and mediumand heavy-duty vehicle sectors. Electricity energy consumption increases by 4 quadrillion Btu over the 

projection period. China accounts for 40% of the growth in electricity as a result of their existing proelectric vehicle policies. Motor gasoline consumption decreases by 7 quadrillion Btu across all non-OECD 

regions. 

Figure 8. Change in non-OECD energy consumption between 2015 and 2040 in the Low Liquids 

Demand case

LDVs grow more than any other mode in the Low Liquids Demand case (Figure 9). Across all non-OECD 

regions, LDV fuel consumption grows by 10.8 quadrillion Btu between 2015 and 2040. International 

maritime fuel use increases more than any other freight mode – 3.6 quadrillion Btu between 2015 and 

2040. 

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Russia Other nonOECD

Europe and

Eurasia

China India Other nonOECD AsiaMiddle East Africa Brazil Other nonOECD

Central and

South

America

Change in energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor Gasoline Diesel LPG Jet fuel Residual fuel Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 12

Figure 9. Change in non-OECD energy consumption by mode between 2015 and 2040 in the Low 

Liquids Demand case

In the LDV sector, natural gas is the primary replacement for motor gasoline and diesel fuel 

consumption in non-OECD countries (Figure 10). Non-OECD natural gas consumption increases by 15 

quadrillion Btu between 2015 and 2040. Electricity is the primary replacement for motor gasoline and 

diesel fuel in OECD countries, increasing by 4 quadrillion Btu over the projection period. Electricity

consumption also increases by 4 quadrillion Btu in non-OECD countries. 

Figure 10. Low Liquids Demand case LDV fuel consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV fuel consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Russia Other nonOECD Europe

and Eurasia

China India Other nonOECD AsiaMiddle East Africa Brazil Other nonOECD Central

and South

America

Change in energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

LDV 2/3 wheelers Bus Passenger rail

Air Freight heavy truck Freight other truck Freight rail

Domestic maritime International maritime

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 13

Fuel consumption by medium- and heavy-duty vehicles remains relatively constant across the projection 

period (Figure 11). Fuel consumption in OECD countries increases from 10 quadrillion Btu in 2015 to 11

quadrillion Btu in 2040. In non-OECD countries, fuel consumption increases from 15 quadrillion Btu in 

2015 to 17 quadrillion Btu in 2040. 

Figure 11. Low Liquids Demand case medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption in OECD and 

non-OECD countries

2.2 High Liquids Demand case 

The High Liquids Demand case tested the flexibility of the newly developed ITEDD model. In this case, 

policies and consumer preferences were changed to reflect possible events that could lead to higher 

levels of liquids and energy consumption in the transportation sector. These changes were assumed to 

begin in 2021. Most of the changes were in the LDV sector:

 Increased LDV ownership growth rates

 Adjusted region-specific consumer preference coefficients for LDV purchase by fuel and 

technology type and rate of change allowed to increase preference for petroleum-fueled 

vehicles

 Assumed changes in new alternative-fuel LDV prices to reflect subsidy adjustment or removal 

 Removed commercial LDV subsidies for alternative-fuel vehicles 

 Fuel economy standards held constant at 2020 levels

Additional changes were made in the freight sector: 

 Reduced rates of fuel efficiency improvement for rail and marine

 Reduced load factors for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles

 Increased willingness to fuel switch for all freight modes

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 14

World transportation energy consumption in 2040 is 189 quadrillion Btu in the High Liquids Demand 

case, compared with 151 quadrillion Btu in 2040 in the IEO2016 Reference case (Figure 12). Most of the 

difference, 33 quadrillion Btu, is in non-OECD countries. 

Figure 12. IEO2016 Reference case and High Liquids Demand case transportation energy consumption

The difference between LDV energy consumption in the IEO2016 Reference case and in the High Liquids 

Demand case is larger than any other mode of transportation. In 2040, LDV energy consumption is 60 

quadrillion Btu in the IEO2016 Reference case compared with 85 quadrillion Btu in the High Liquids 

Demand case (Figure 13). This difference results in almost 41% more fuel consumed by LDVs in the High 

Liquids Demand case than in the IEO2016 Reference case, in 2040. 

Similar to the overall increase in transportation energy consumption, most of the growth in LDV energy 

consumption comes from non-OECD countries because non-OECD countries have more opportunities 

for growth than the OECD countries. For example, current vehicle stock per capita rates are lower in 

non-OECD countries than in OECD countries. Most OCED countries have vehicle stocks per capita in 

excess of 50% (meaning the countries have more than 500,000 vehicles per every million people),

whereas most non-OECD countries have vehicle stock per capita of less than 20%. This difference implies 

that non-OECD countries have greater potential for people to purchase vehicles for the first time than in 

OECD countries. 

In addition, fuel economy standards are more stringent heading into 2020 for most OECD countries than 

non-OECD countries. In this analysis, because fuel economy standards were held constant at the 2020 

level as consumers in non-OECD countries purchase vehicles for the first time, these vehicles will be less 

efficient than those purchased in OECD countries. 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Transportation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

OECD Reference case OECD High Liquids Demand case

Non-OECD Reference case Non-OECD High Liquids Demand case

World Reference case World High Liquids Demand case

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 15

Figure 13. Worldwide transportation energy consumption by mode in the IEO2016 Reference case and 

High Liquids Demand case

In non-OECD countries, motor gasoline grows more than any other transportation fuel, 32 quadrillion 

Btu, in the High Liquids Demand case between 2015 and 2040 (Figure 14). The growth in motor gasoline 

consumption is mainly from new LDV sales. Diesel is the second-fastest growing fuel at 22 quadrillion 

Btu. In all regions except India, the diesel growth is mostly attributed to growth in freight movement by 

medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. India, like Europe, has a high percentage of diesel LDV ownership 

compared with the rest of the world. Non-OECD natural gas consumption increases by 11 quadrillion Btu 

between 2015 and 2040. Unlike with the increases in motor gasoline and diesel consumption, natural 

gas consumption is growing in both LDVs and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in most regions.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Transportation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

LDV 2/3 wheeler Bus

Rail Air Freight heavy truck

Freight other truck Freight rail Domestic maritime

International maritime

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

IEO2016 Reference case High Liquids Demand case
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 16

Figure 14. Change in energy consumption between 2015 and 2040 in the High Liquids Demand case

Motor gasoline remains the primary LDV transportation fuel through 2040 (Figure 15) in the High Liquids 

Demand case. Between 2015 and 2040 in OECD countries, LDV motor gasoline consumption decreases 

by 1.3 quadrillion Btu while natural gas and electricity increase by 0.03 and 0.12 quadrillion Btu, 

respectively. In the non-OECD countries, motor gasoline increases by 29 quadrillion Btu. Both diesel and 

natural gas increase by approximately 5 quadrillion Btu.

Figure 15. High Liquids Demand case fuel consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

Russia Other nonOECD

Europe and

Eurasia

China India Other nonOECD AsiaMiddle East Africa Brazil Other nonOECD

Central and

South

America

Change in energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Jet fuel Residual fuel Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV fuel consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD Countries Non-OECD Countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 17

2.3 Diesel Reduction in Europe case

Unlike in the rest of the world, diesel’s LDV market share is above 40% in Europe. Several factors have

contributed to diesel’s high European market share – pro-diesel policies, including a lower at-pump fuel 

tax, high diesel vehicle make and model availability (on par with motor gasoline vehicles), and a high 

number of fueling stations (on par with motor gasoline stations). However, given current concerns 

regarding criteria2 emission compliance and growing research on the health implications of using diesel,

the dynamics of the light-duty vehicle market could change. This case removes the preferential 

treatment diesel received based on policy beginning in 2016 but gives no preferential treatment to any 

other powertrain.

Motor gasoline becomes the main fuel source in Europe when the preferential diesel policies are 

removed (Figure 16). In the IEO2016 Reference case, diesel and motor gasoline vehicles have similar

shares in the light-duty vehicle new sales market in 2020, at 47% and 52%, respectively. In 2040, motor 

gasoline increases to account for 51% of the new vehicle market, while diesel decreases to 32% of new 

sales as new alternative-fueled vehicles enter the market in the IEO2016 Reference case. In the Diesel 

Reduction in Europe case, motor gasoline vehicles make up 92% of new sales by 2018 and maintain that

market share throughout the projection period.

Figure 16. Motor gasoline and diesel LDV sales shares in Europe

 

2 Criteria emissions include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and lead. 

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

share

Motor gasoline Diesel

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

IEO2016 Reference case Diesel Reduction in Europe case
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 18

Total combined motor gasoline and diesel energy consumption is lower in the Diesel Reduction in 

Europe case in 2040 compared to the IEO2016 Reference case, 7.1 quadrillion Btu compared to 7.2 

quadrillion Btu, respectively (Figure 17). 

Figure 17. European motor gasoline and diesel LDV energy consumption

The lower level of combined motor gasoline and diesel energy usage in LDVs in 2040 is due to higher 

fuel economy in both motor gasoline and diesel vehicles (Figure 18). This result illustrates the model’s 

responsiveness to regulatory policy in the European markets. Without the fuel efficiency standards, the 

increasing share of gasoline-powered LDVs might be expected to increase the overall fuel consumption 

level. But, in the presence of the regulatory standards, if consumers choose not to purchase diesel 

vehicles, both motor gasoline and diesel LDVs become more efficient to meet CO2 standards. 

Currently, diesel vehicles are inherently more efficient than motor gasoline vehicles, which allows both 

types of vehicles to be less efficient and meet the same standard. However, because fewer diesel 

vehicles are sold in the Diesel Reduction in Europe case, all types of vehicles have to become more 

efficient to meet the standard. 

The higher fuel efficiency of motor gasoline and diesel vehicles is also why the Diesel Reduction in 

Europe case has fewer alternative-fuel vehicles than in the IEO2016 Reference case; as traditional 

vehicles become more efficient, the cost savings from alternative-fueled vehicles are reduced. Because 

no policies to reduce the costs of alternative-fueled vehicles were included in this case, the costs 

outweigh the benefits for most consumers. 

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

European LDV energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

IEO2016 Reference case Diesel Reduction in Europe case
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 19

Figure 18. New motor gasoline and diesel LDV fuel efficiency

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

New vehicle fuel efficiency

miles per gallon gasoline equivalent

Reference motor gasoline Diesel Reduction in Europe case motor gasoline

Reference diesel Diesel Reduction in Europe case diesel

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 20

3. Updated Macroeconomic Reference case

The Updated Macroeconomic Reference case consists of new macroeconomic parameters for all 

regions. However, the focus of this analysis is on China as a key region for global transportation and 

liquid fuel demand. This case did not include any updates to ITEDD, but did include changes to 

macroeconomic assumptions to produce a sensitivity case for analysis. Throughout Section 0, the 

Updated Macroeconomic Reference case will be referred to as the Updated Macro Reference case. 

3.1 Low Growth in China case

Though the IEO includes a high and low macroeconomic case, this case specifically looks at changes in 

the transportation sector if the growth in China were slower than the current forecast. The assumption 

of this scenario is that by 2040, China’s GDP in the Low Growth in China case is 15% lower than in the 

Updated Macro Reference case (Figure 19). The GDP slowdown was assumed to begin in 2016 and 

increase to the 15% by 2040. 

Figure 19. Chinese GDP growth: Updated Macro Reference case and Low Growth in China case

The slowdown in China’s GDP affects both passenger and freight fuel consumption. A lower GDP, with 

no change in population, implies that per capita income is lower, and fewer consumers will be able to 

afford to purchase a vehicle or to fly. Because GDP and industrial output are strongly correlated in 

China, lower GDP also implies that fewer goods are being produced and shipped, which reduces freight 

transportation (Figure 20).

Consumption levels for all fuels are lower in the Low Growth in China case compared with the Updated 

Macro Reference case in 2040 (Figure 21). Jet fuel and residual fuel oil consumption are both 16% lower 

in 2040 in the Low Growth in China case than in the Updated Macro Reference case, resulting in the 

largest difference for any fuel. The reduction occurs because air travel and international maritime are 

the modes that are most effected by the slowdown (Figure 20). Overall, the reduction in industrial 

output had a larger affect on fuel consumption in freight modes than the reduction of GDP growth had 

on the fuel consumption in passenger modes. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

GDP

billion dollars

Reference case Low Growth in China case

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 21

Figure 20. Transportation fuel consumption in China by mode in the Updated Macro Reference case 

and Low Growth in China case

Figure 21. Transportation fuel consumption in China in the Updated Macro Reference case and Low 

Growth in China case

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Transportation energy consumpton

quadrillion Btu

LDV 2/3 wheelers Bus

Passenger rail Air Freight heavy truck

Freight other truck Freight rail Domestic maritime

International maritime

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Transportation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Jet fuel Residual fuel Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Updated Macro Reference case Low Growth in China case

Updated Macro Reference case Low Growth in China case
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 22

4. Updated ITEDD Model Reference case

EIA used an updated version of ITEDD in the third set of cases. Throughout Section 0, the Updated ITEDD 

Model Reference case will be referred to as the Updated ITEDD Reference case. The updated model

includes expanded modeling capabilities, particularly in the representation of alternative-fueled

vehicles. Fuel availability has been added as an explicit consideration in the LDV market share 

determination. In addition, the model has been expanded to incorporate vehicle price and fuel price 

subsidies. For fuels such as natural gas or electricity, a lack of fueling stations at the outset dampens 

interest by consumers who may perceive that it will be inconvenient and/or time consuming to find 

fueling stations. As more alternative-fueled vehicles are sold, more fueling stations are likely to offer the 

fuel, and refueling would gradually cease to be a concern.

ITEDD does not explicitly represent the investment decision of building new fueling stations. In many 

regions government policy will likely influence the expansion of alternative fueling stations. Alternative 

fueling stations are assumed to increase as more alternative-fuel vehicles are sold at a rate that is based 

on an EIA-specified policy variable. Some countries already have in place subsidies for or direct 

investments in alternative fueling stations. The policy parameter relates the expansion of stations to 

vehicles sold.

Bus and medium- and heavy-duty vehicle stocks in ITEDD are not projected based on annual sales and 

sales shares as are vehicle sales for LDVs. Instead, fuel shares are applied directly to the total vehiclekilometers traveled for buses and ton-miles traveled for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The 

projection methodology for natural gas shares in these modes has been updated. A key assumption is 

that the adoption rate of alternative-fueled vehicles will be driven in large part by government policy.

The relative prices of diesel and natural gas are also assumed to be important, and, together with a userdefined assumption representing government policy, determine the maximum natural gas share 

achieved. For medium-duty vehicles that will likely use the same refueling stations as LDVs, the 

maximum share is also influenced by the fuel availability projected for LDVs. In turn, the expansion of 

natural gas use in these vehicles increases the station build-out.

The speed of alternative fuel adoption for buses and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is assumed to be 

linked to the same policy assumption of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and growth in GDP per capita.

For buses, the share of natural gas is subtracted from the diesel shares. For medium- and heavy-duty 

vehicles the natural gas share is subtracted from the motor gasoline share first. If the share of motor 

gasoline in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles reaches zero, then the remaining natural gas share is 

subtracted from the diesel share.

In the Updated ITEDD Reference case, the policy parameter in each region is generally set so that fuel 

availability expands modestly as the number of alternative-fuel vehicles increases. Exceptions are made 

for some regions that currently have policies encouraging the expansion of alternative fueling stations.

For example, several regions have policies promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, so these 

regions (Middle East, Central and South America, and Other non-OECD Asia) are assumed to build out 

CNG refueling stations more quickly. 

As noted in the Preface, these scenarios use the ITEDD transportation module of EIA’s global WEPS+ 

system in standalone mode, so the implications of varying levels of natural gas demand for supply, 

delivery, and pricing in regional markets are not dynamically represented in these cases.
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 23

Total LDV ownership stays relatively consistent between the IEO2016 and Updated ITEDD Reference 

cases (Figure 22). However the composition of the vehicles does change (Figure 23). There are more 

motor gasoline vehicles in both OECD and non-OECD countries in the Updated ITEDD Reference case 

than in the IEO2016 Reference case in 2040. In addition, OECD countries have more natural gas vehicles 

in the Updated ITEDD Reference case. In both OECD and non-OECD countries, battery electric vehicles 

(EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) decrease by more than any other power train type 

between the IEO2016 Reference case and Updated ITEDD Reference case. 

Figure 22. Total LDV sales in the IEO2016 and Updated ITEDD Reference cases

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV sales

million vehicles

IEO2016 Reference case Updated ITEDD Reference case

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 24

Figure 23. Difference between LDV stock by vehicle power train in the IEO2016 Reference case and 

Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040

Most of the growth in LDV sales occurs in non-OECD countries (Figure 24). The non-OECD countries also 

have a larger share of natural gas fueled vehicles (Figure 25). EV and PHEV shares are projected to 

increase to 6% in OECD countries in 2040 and to 3% in non-OECD countries. Shares of natural gas

vehicles increase in the non-OECD countries from 7% in 2015 to 11% by 2040.

Figure 24. Updated ITEDD Reference case LDV sales in OECD and non-OECD countries

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas EV/PHEV

Difference in LDV stock

million vehicles

OECD

Non-OECD

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV sales

million vehicles

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas EV/PHEV

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 25

Figure 25. Updated ITEDD Reference case LDV technology sales shares in OECD and non-OECD 

countries

Although sales of LDVs in the OECD are projected to remain relatively steady over the forecast period, 

energy consumption is projected to decline because of improved vehicle fuel economy. The increasing 

sales shares of EVs and PHEVs have a small effect on electricity consumption for several reasons. The 

natural lag in vehicle stock turnover means the stocks of EVs and PHEVs is still relatively low by 2040.

Also, roughly a quarter of the EV and PHEV combined sales share of 6% in 2040 is PHEVs that use 

electricity for only a portion of their travel. Finally, electric motors are more efficient than internal 

combustion engines on a delivered-energy basis, meaning that liquid fuel use is reduced more than 

proportionately to the end use energy share for electric vehicles.

In 2040, motor gasoline fueled LDVs consume more energy in the Updated ITEDD Reference case than in 

the IEO2016 Reference case in both OECD and non-OECD countries (Figure 26). The difference is caused 

by an increase in motor gasoline fueled vehicles. Overall growth of vehicle ownership in non-OECD 

countries leads to rising energy consumption despite rising fuel economy (Figure 27). Non-OECD energy 

use for LDVs is projected to increase at 3% per year, or to more than double between 2015 and 2040.

The fuel shares are projected to remain relatively constant.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV sales

shares

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas EV/PHEV

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 26

Figure 26. Difference in LDV energy consumption by fuel type between the IEO2016 Reference case 

and the Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040

Figure 27. Updated ITEDD Reference case LDV energy consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries

-0.80

-0.60

-0.40

-0.20

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas Electricity

Difference in energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

OECD

Non-OECD

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 27

Energy consumption by buses is higher in non-OECD countries than in the OECD countries because more 

people in those areas travel by bus (Figure 28). Bus energy consumption is projected to rise more rapidly 

in the non-OECD countries (2.1% a year) than in OECD countries (less than 1% per year). In 2040, less 

natural gas is consumed in the Updated ITEDD Reference case than in the IEO2016 Reference case 

(Figure 29). The lower level of natural gas consumption is almost completely offset by higher diesel 

consumption in both OECD and non-OECD countries. There is no change in LPG consumption. Overall, 

total bus energy consumption is lower in the Updated ITEDD Reference case. 

Figure 28. Updated ITEDD Reference case bus energy consumption in OECD and non-OECD countries

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Bus energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 28

Figure 29. Difference in bus energy consumption by fuel between the IEO2016 Reference case and the 

Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040

In aggregate, both the OECD and non-OECD countries are projected to see rising shares of natural gas 

consumption relative to motor gasoline and diesel in the transportation sector (Figure 30). The initial 

natural gas bus fuel shares in both OECD and non-OECD countries are 5% in 2015 and rise to around 30%

by 2040. The growth is not uniform across all countries within each group. For example, natural gas bus 

shares are low and projected to remain low in Canada, Australia/New Zealand, and Africa, and they are 

high in China, India, and Other non-OECD Europe and Eurasia.

-1.50

-1.00

-0.50

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Difference in energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

OECD

Non-OECD

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 29

Figure 30. Updated ITEDD Reference case bus energy consumption shares in OECD and non-OECD 

countries

As with the other transportation modes, energy consumption by medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is 

projected to increase more in the non-OECD countries than in OECD countries because of differences in 

expected economic growth rates between the two groups of countries. In the non-OECD regions, 

medium- and heavy-duty vehicle energy consumption increases at 1.8% per year, which is slower than 

consumption growth by LDVs.

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles energy use is mostly from diesel fuel with some motor gasoline used 

in medium-duty vehicles (Figure 31). In response to rising oil prices and relatively low natural gas prices 

in many countries, the natural gas share of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is projected to increase to 

4% in the OECD countries and to 14% in the non-OECD countries by 2040.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

share

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 30

Figure 31. Updated ITEDD Reference case medium- and heavy-duty vehicle energy consumption in 

OECD and non-OECD countries

Similar to buses, natural gas energy consumption in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is lower in the 

Updated ITEDD Reference case than in the IEO2016 Reference case (Figure 32). The decrease in natural 

gas fuel use in OECD countries is offset by an almost equal increase in motor gasoline and diesel fuel 

use. However, the decrease in natural gas fuel use in non-OECD countries is more than offset by an

increase in motor gasoline fuel use and relatively no change in diesel use. 

Figure 32. Difference in medium- and heavy-duty vehicle energy consumption by fuel between the 

IEO2016 Reference case and the Updated ITEDD Reference case in 2040

0

5

10

15

20

25

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicle energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

-0.80

-0.60

-0.40

-0.20

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Difference in energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

OECD

Non-OECD

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 31

4.1 Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case

In the Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case, a subsidy of $3,000 per vehicle for private and commercial LDVs

is provided starting in 2018 in all regions that have natural gas resources and some current share of 

natural gas vehicles. Five regions were excluded: Europe, Japan, Australia/New Zealand, South Korea, 

and Africa. The subsidy defrays some, but not all, of the roughly $5,200 incremental cost of CNG vehicles 

relative to motor gasoline vehicles. Because governments are not likely to continue to subsidize vehicles 

once they gain significant market share, the subsidy is phased out as cumulative sales of CNG vehicles 

increase. Once the shares reach a cumulative 2% of total LDV sales, the subsidy declines to $1,500. In a 

few regions that already have a significant share of natural gas vehicles, the subsidy starts at $1,500.

Once the shares reach 30% of cumulative LDV sales, the subsidy is eliminated.

The share of natural gas LDVs sold increases in both OECD and non-OECD regions (Figure 33) although 

motor gasoline and diesel vehicles remain dominant (compared with the Updated ITEDD Reference case 

shown in Figure 25). By 2040, the OECD natural gas vehicle share increases to 5% compared with 2% in 

the Updated ITEDD Reference case. The subsidy drops to $1,500 in the participating OECD regions 

between 2025 and 2028. The non-OECD natural gas vehicle share in 2040 is 10% in the Updated ITEDD 

Reference case but 24% in the Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case. Shares are higher in the non-OECD,

regions in part because several regions already have some natural gas fueling station infrastructure. The 

subsidy phase-out is more varied among non-OECD regions with some regions starting at $1,500 and

others not transitioning to $1,500 until as late as 2035, but in all regions the subsidy is at the lower level 

or eliminated by 2040. 

Figure 33. Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case LDV technology sales shares in OECD and non-OECD 

countries

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

LDV sales

shares

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas EV/PHEV

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 32

4.2 Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case

An alternative policy to encourage natural gas vehicles would be to reduce the price of natural gas at 

fueling stations. Subsidies or other policies could also be enacted that encourage the addition of more 

stations offering natural gas, which would increase the attractiveness of natural gas vehicles to 

consumers. In this case, a $4/MMBtu fuel subsidy, which is roughly 50 cents/gallon equivalent, is 

provided starting in 2018 in the regions where the vehicle subsidies are offered in the prior Natural Gas 

Vehicle subsidy case. In addition, the expansion of fueling stations for CNG is assumed to occur more 

rapidly. Finally, CNG and liquefied natural gas (LNG) use in buses and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles

is assumed to receive some type of support that raises the maximum potential natural gas share and 

accelerates the adoption rate of natural gas in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and buses in many 

regions.

Although the natural gas share of LDV fuel consumption increases in this case (Figure 34), the increases 

are smaller than in the Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case (Figure 33). The 2040 natural gas shares are 4%

and 18% for the OECD region and non-OECD region respectively, compared with 5% and 24% in the 

Natural Gas Vehicle Subsidy case.

Figure 34. Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case LDV technology sale shares in OECD and 

non-OECD countries

The natural gas share for buses also is higher in non-OECD countries in this case. By 2040, the natural 

gas share in the non-OECD region is 31% (Figure 35). China and India, which together comprise almost a 

quarter of bus consumption in the non-OECD countries in 2040, are projected to have relatively high 

natural gas shares in the Updated ITEDD Reference case, so an increase in the rate of adoption has little 

effect on the 2040 shares. Africa, which accounts for more than 30% of bus travel in the Updated ITEDD 

Reference case and the Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case has low natural gas shares 

even in the Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidy case.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

shares

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas EV/PHEV

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 33

Figure 35. Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case bus consumption shares in OECD and 

non-OECD countries

Natural gas use in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles increases in the Natural Gas Price and 

Infrastructure Subsidies case. The increase results from an assumed increase in the maximum potential 

market share for natural gas associated with greater government support for both LNG fueling stations 

for heavy-duty vehicles and CNG-dispensing stations for use by LDVs and medium-duty vehicles. As with 

the subsidies, the higher level of government support is assumed in all regions except Europe, Japan, 

Australia/New Zealand, South Korea, and Africa.

Policies in China and the Middle East are assumed to enhance use of natural gas in medium- and heavyduty vehicles in the Updated ITEDD Reference case, so these regions are not affected in the Natural Gas 

Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case. Expanded shares of natural gas LDVs and an associated increase 

in fueling stations contribute to increasing natural gas shares of medium-duty vehicles and to a direct 

increase in the assumed maximum potential natural gas shares for these vehicles.

In OECD regions, the natural gas fuel share across all medium- and heavy-duty vehicle types in 2040 is 

higher reaching 5% in the Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case compared with 4% in the 

Updated ITEDD Reference case (Figure 36). The share in non-OECD regions rises from 14% to 19%

between the Updated ITEDD Reference case and the Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case, 

respectively.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

share

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Natural gas

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD countries Non-OECD countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 34

Figure 36. Updated ITEDD Reference case and Natural Gas Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case

medium- and heavy-duty vehicle natural gas consumption shares in OECD and non-OECD regions

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

share

Reference case OECD

NG Price and Infrastructure

Subsidies case OECD

Reference case non-OECD

NG Price and Infrastructure

Subsidies case non-OECD

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 35

5. Conclusions

The International Transportation Energy Demand Determinants (ITEDD) model has been fully integrated 

and tested as a component of the World Energy Projection System Plus (WEPS+). WEPS+ is the model 

the U.S. Energy Information Administration uses for projections that are presented in the International 

Energy Outlook (IEO). IEO2016 was the first year that EIA used ITEDD for the transportation section of 

the projection. After the release of IEO2016, several scenarios were examined to consider uncertainty in 

the transportation sector and to test the flexibility and response of the ITEDD model as well as the new 

model capabilities. The actual model outputs presented here were not produced in an overall integrated 

framework, and as such, are intended to be more illustrative than conclusive. Three reference cases 

were used as the basis for the side cases because of updates to macroeconomic variables or ITEDD 

model updates and capabilities at the time of the side case analyses. Six side cases were analyzed. 

The scenarios examined using ITEDD gave the expected responses in both direction and dynamics. In the 

High and Low Liquids Demand cases, non-OECD countries were affected more than OECD countries. 

Non-OECD total transportation energy consumption was higher by 33 quadrillion Btu in the High Liquids 

demand case and lower by 18 quadrillion Btu in the Low Liquids Demand case, respectively, compared 

with the IEO2016 Reference case in 2040 (Figure 37). The changes in the High and Low Liquids Demand 

cases follow the IEO2016 Reference case where OECD transportation energy consumption was relatively 

flat while non-OECD transportation was increasing throughout the projection period.

Figure 37. Transportation energy consumption for worldwide cases by OECD and non-OECD countries

in 2040

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

NG Price and Infrastructure Subsidy case

NG Vehicle Subsidy case

Updated ITEDD Model Reference case

Low Liquids Demand case

High Liquids Demand case

IEO2016 Reference case

NG Price and Infrastructure Subsidy case

NG Vehicle Subsidy case

Updated ITEDD Model Reference case

Low Liquids Demand case

High Liquids Demand case

IEO2016 Reference case

Transporation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Motor gasoline Diesel LPG Jet fuel Residual fuel Natural gas Electricity

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

OECD Countries

Non-OECD Countries
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 36

Changes in petroleum-based transportation energy consumption are larger than changes in overall 

transportation energy consumption in the side cases. In OECD countries, petroleum-based energy 

consumption was higher by 6 quadrillion Btu in the High Liquids Demand case compared with the 

IEO2016 Reference case in 2040 (Figure 38). In the Low Liquids Demand case, petroleum-based energy 

consumption was 9 quadrillion Btu lower than in the IEO2016 Reference case in 2040. In non-OECD 

countries, petroleum-based transportation energy consumption is 31 quadrillion Btu higher in the High 

Liquids Demand case and 32 quadrillion Btu lower in the Low Liquids Demand case, compared with the 

IEO2016Reference case in 2040 (Figure 39).

The difference in the changes between total transportation energy consumption and petroleum-based 

transportation energy consumption is because of changes in the consumption of alternative fuels –

natural gas and electricity. To the extent that global energy analysis considers various indicators, 

including total consumption, liquid fuels consumption, alternative fuels and technologies, greenhouse 

gas emissions, regional prices, etc., the ITEDD system as used in EIA’s global WEPS+ projection 

framework can provide greater detail and more rigor in the representation and dynamics of 

international transportation energy demand determinants.

Figure 38. Transportation petroleum-based energy consumption in OECD countries in 2040

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

IEO2016

Reference case

High Liquids

Demand case

Low Liquids

Demand case

Updated ITEDD

Reference case

NG Vehicle

Subsidy case

NG Price and

Infrastructure

Subsidy case

Transporation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 37

Figure 39. Transportation petroleum-based energy consumption in non-OECD countries in 2040

The Diesel Reduction in Europe case was developed because of current concerns about criteria emission

compliance and growing research on the health implications of using diesel. These issues could result in 

a change in the dynamics of the light-duty vehicle market. In this case, favorable treatment for diesel

was removed in Europe, and no preferential treatment was given to any other powertrain. Diesel 

vehicles were replaced with motor gasoline vehicles. As a result of CO2 emission standards in Europe,

both types of vehicles become more fuel-efficient because diesel vehicles are inherently more efficient 

than motor gasoline vehicles and fewer diesel vehicles are now purchased. Overall transportation 

energy consumption in Europe was reduced from 19.7 quadrillion Btu in the IEO2016 Reference case to 

19.4 quadrillion in the Diesel Reduction in Europe case (Table 2). 

The Low Growth in China case tested how the ITEDD model reacts to slower economic growth, in China. 

China’s GDP was reduced by 15% in 2040, compared with the Updated Macro Reference case. As 

expected, the reduction in GDP resulted in a reduction in passenger and freight travel, related to a 

corresponding decrease in industrial output. Overall transportation energy consumption in China was 

11% lower in the Low Growth in China case than in the Updated Macro Reference case in 2040 (Table 2). 

In each of the subsidy cases, energy consumption stays relatively constant compared with the Updated 

ITEDD Reference case for both OECD and non-OECD countries in 2040 (Figure 37). However, energy 

consumption is shifted away from motor gasoline and diesel fuel. The shifts are greater in the two 

natural gas cases in non-OECD countries, with a larger reduction in motor gasoline in the Natural Gas 

Vehicle Subsidy case that encourages the adoption of light-duty natural gas vehicles. The Natural Gas 

Price and Infrastructure Subsidies case leads to larger reductions in diesel as it shifts fuels consumed in 

buses and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as LDVs. Overall, the petroleum-based fuel 

consumption in 2040 is approximately 3% lower in non-OECD countries (Figure 39) relative to the 

Updated ITEDD Reference case in the Natural gas vehicle subsidy case. In the Natural Gas Price and 

Infrastructure Subsidy case, fuel consumption is 4% lower in non-OECD countries relative to the 

Updated ITEDD Reference case.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

IEO2016

Reference case

High Liquids

Demand case

Low Liquids

Demand case

Updated ITEDD

Reference case

NG Vehicle

Subsidy case

NG Price and

Infrastructure

Subsidy case

Transportation energy consumption

quadrillion Btu

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
September 2017

U.S. Energy Information Administration | Global Transportation Energy Consumption: Examination of Scenarios to 2040 using ITEDD 38

Table 2. Transportation energy consumption for cases in 2040 

(quadrillion Btu)

IEO2016 

Reference 

case

High Liquids 

Demand 

case

Low Liquids 

Demand 

case

IEO2016 

Reference 

case

Diesel 

Reduction in 

Europe case

Updated 

Macro 

Reference case

Low Growth 

in China 

case

Updated 

ITEDD Model 

Reference case

NG Vehicle 

Subsidy 

case

NG Price and 

Infrastructure 

Subsidy case

OECD countries Europe OECD countries

Motor gasoline 20.84 25.38 16.50 3.34 6.63 21.34 20.86 20.88

Diesel 20.72 21.67 16.65 9.29 5.92 20.72 20.70 20.61

LPG 0.41 0.48 0.13 0.12 0.05 0.31 0.31 0.32

Jet fuel 10.85 10.85 10.85 4.04 4.04 10.87 10.87 10.87

Residual fuel 3.95 4.00 3.91 2.01 2.01 3.95 3.95 3.95

Natural gas 1.52 1.19 3.44 0.54 0.52 1.25 1.76 1.81

Electricity 0.75 0.45 4.51 0.37 0.22 0.53 0.53 0.53

OECD Europe 

total

19.71 19.39

OECD total 59.04 64.01 55.99 58.97 58.98 58.97

Non-OECD countries China Non-OECD countries

Motor gasoline 30.95 49.11 10.30 7.08 6.84 32.02 30.23 30.28

Diesel 29.85 42.51 19.18 10.82 9.32 31.43 30.93 29.89

LPG 0.45 0.71 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.36 0.32 0.33

Jet fuel 11.36 11.36 11.36 1.88 1.57 11.38 11.38 11.38

Residual fuel 7.26 7.58 6.97 2.48 2.09 7.27 7.27 7.26

Natural gas 11.16 12.47 21.89 3.29 3.01 8.66 10.98 11.95

Electricity 1.29 1.32 4.77 0.83 0.76 1.01 1.00 1.01

China total 26.40 23.60

Non-OECD total 92.31 125.04 74.48 92.12 92.09 92.09

World total 151.35 189.05 130.47 151.09 151.07 151.06

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration