Towards a sustainable transport in Algeria: The requisite of energy transition in the road transport sector

Abstract

Less than ten years ago, Algeria embarked on an energy transition with the objectives of sustainable development. Although it concerns all economic sectors, efforts made in the field of road transport, as the main polluter and energy consumer at the national level, are far from being sufficient despite its inclusion in policy statements. This sector is operational exclusively on fossil and exhaustible energies whereas its atmospheric pollutants and gaseous emissions are highly harmful to the environment, public health and the economy. Thus, this paper points out the emergency of an energy transition in the road transport sector to clean and renewable energy as a necessity rather than a choice. It highlights, first, the characteristics of the Algerian automobile fleet and its various impacts and damages on the environment, public health and the economy. Furthermore, it evaluates the various policy initiatives towards sustainable transport and their deficiencies. Hence, the right attitudes and regulatory instruments towards sustainable transport in Algeria are recommended.