The type of transport that does not require energy (from the cell’s point of view) is passive transport , which includes simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis.

Quick Scoop

In biology, “requires energy” usually means the cell must spend ATP to move substances across its membrane. Passive transport moves molecules down their concentration gradient, so no cellular energy is used.

Main types of transport that do not require energy:

  • Simple diffusion – molecules move directly through the membrane from high to low concentration (for example, oxygen entering a cell).
  • Facilitated diffusion – molecules move down their gradient through membrane proteins such as channels or carriers; still no ATP is used.
  • Osmosis – diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane, also down its concentration gradient.

By contrast, active transport and processes like bulk transport (endocytosis, exocytosis) do require energy, because they move substances against their gradient or move large packages of material.

In many quiz or exam questions asking “What type of transport does not require energy?”, the expected single answer is facilitated diffusion (or more generally, passive transport).

TL;DR: Any form of passive transport —especially facilitated diffusion and osmosis —does not require cellular energy.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.