Quel est l’impact sur l’environnement de la circulation des voitures ?

Commissariat général au développement durableDec 8, 2025

Depuis les années 1990, le nombre de voitures en circulation a fortement augmenté. Dans le même temps, les émissions de polluants ont largement diminué, tandis que celles de gaz à effet de serre, essentiellement du CO2, sont restées quasiment stables. Cela s’explique par les progrès des motorisations, mais aussi par un usage très répandu de la voiture. Comprendre cette évolution permet de mieux identifier les moyens de réduire l’impact des transports sur l’environnement et la santé.

Since the 1990s, the number of cars in circulation has grown significantly. At the same time, pollutant emissions have decreased substantially, while greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CO2, have remained nearly stable. This is explained by advances in engine technology, but also by widespread car use. Understanding this change helps identify ways to reduce the impact of transport on the environment and health.

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How many cars in France and what distances are driven?
Registered vehicles
The number of cars in circulation has grown steadily since the 1990s. On January 1, 2024, France had 39.3 million registered cars (source: SDES). That's nearly 16 million more than in 1990 (23.3 million). In 2023, 83% of households owned at least one car.
Total distances driven
In 2023, these vehicles traveled approximately 437 billion kilometers in total (source: SDES). That's equivalent to circling the Earth 11 million times or traveling 3 times the distance from Earth to the Sun. Traffic increased significantly between 1990 and 2019. It then dropped in 2020 due to the health crisis, before rising gradually, then declining slightly in 2023.
Average mileage per car
The number of kilometers driven each year per car has decreased by about 13% since 1990. In 2023, each car averaged 11,700 kilometers (source: SDES).
Greenhouse gas: why do cars emit less than before?
Car CO2 emissions
• Cars emit carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. • In 2023, they released 66 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. That's over half the emissions from the transport sector (source: SDES). • Since the 1990s, car traffic has increased significantly. Yet CO2 emissions have not followed the same trend. • They have remained fairly stable over time. This is explained by several factors:
Stabilization factors
• vehicles consume less fuel than before thanks to technical progress; • regulations have limited permitted emissions; • more and more French people are buying hybrid or electric cars.
Diesel share
Among these emissions, 62% come from diesel cars, even though they represent 51% of the fleet, but they drive more kilometers.
2020 lockdown effect
• In 2020, lockdown measures severely limited travel. Result: emissions from private cars fell by 19% in one year, reaching 56.5 million tonnes. They increased again afterward, but remain close to their levels from the 2000s.
Air pollution: what role do cars play?
Pollutants emitted in 2023
• In addition to CO2, cars release several air pollutants that harm air quality and health. • In 2023, they were responsible for: • 24% of nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions. These gases are produced by engines, especially diesel ones. They contribute to air pollution and can irritate respiratory airways, particularly in people with asthma, children, and elderly people. • 5.5% of emissions of fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5). These tiny invisible dust particles are emitted by fuel combustion or brake and tire wear. They can penetrate deep into the lungs and are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. • 1.8% of non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emissions. These gases react with other substances in the air to form ground-level ozone, a pollutant that can cause respiratory discomfort. source: Citepa
Change since 1990
Between 1990 and 2023, emissions of all these pollutants decreased significantly. For example, nitrogen oxide emissions fell by 78%, fine particle (PM2.5) emissions by over 69%, and NMVOC emissions by 97%.
2020 lockdown effect
Lockdown episodes in 2020 also contributed to an average 16% reduction in pollutant emissions that year.

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