State of Transport 2026: Cities
Urban transport is where the transition to zero-emission can move fastest. Across Europe, the US and China, cities are often the pace-setters, moving faster than national and regional averages.
So how do they compare?
Cities with > 1 million inhabitants in Europe, the US and China
Share of road CO2e emitted by these cities
worldwide
Benchmarking a selected set of major cities across the three regions shows Chinese cities are furthest ahead overall. European and US cities show a mixed picture, with leaders and laggards in both.
Those gaps within the same region show why local policy matters. In particular, Europe is a global leader on zero-emission zones which are helping to supercharge electric vehicle uptake.
Electric cars: Chinese cities well ahead – Europe must double down on policy
Electrifying passenger cars is central to cutting urban air pollution and climate emissions. Across Europe, the US and China, cities are pushing the transition forward—but Chinese cities are leading, with Europe and the US moving at very different speeds.
Buses are electrifying fast: China ahead, Europe and the US catching up
Bus fleet electrification is one of the most effective steps cities can take to cut noise, air pollution, and energy use. Across Europe, the US and China, local authorities and public transport operators are shifting to zero-emission buses—but at very different speeds.
Shared bikes
Shared bikes are a flexible, affordable and efficient option for zero-emission travel in cities, and their use has grown rapidly in recent years. Across Europe, the US and China, many cities now operate large shared-bike fleets.
Zero-emission zones: Europe leads on a key driver of electrification
Zero-emission zones – that require a gradual shift to zero-emission solutions for urban deliveries and travel – have emerged as a powerful driver of electrification. They have helped make Dutch cities global leaders on electric vans and trucks. By comparison, only two similar zones are in place in China, while US cities have not moved beyond trials.
Autonomous vehicle roll-out – the next frontier?
Autonomous vehicles, especially “robotaxis”, are moving from pilot projects to early commercial roll-out in US and Chinese cities. Europe is expected to see them appear on urban roads later in 2026. If rolled out well, they could expand access to e-mobility- if not, they could drive up traffic and overall demand.
Read Transport & Environment’s full State of European Transport report.
All sources for the figures above and the methodological notes are listed here: