Specific consumption of new cars by country

  • Average specific consumption of new thermal cars is between 5 and 6 l/100km in almost all EU countries in 2021, with Malta, France and Greece in the lower range (5.1l/100km for Malta, 5.2l/100km for France and Greece) and Estonia, Germany and Luxembourg in the higher range (above 6 l/100km). 
  • At EU level, new cars consume 2.8 l/100km less in 2021 than in 2000 (5.6 l/100km compared to 8.4 l/100km).

Specific consumption of new cars (2021)

  • Reduction of new cars specific consumption was the strongest between 2007 and 2016 (3.1%/year compared to 1.5% between 2000 and 2007 at EU level), as a result of EU regulations (labeling and standards), national fiscal incentives and rising fuel prices.

Trends in specific consumption of new cars

  • However, since 2016, the trend has changed: it grew by 2.5%/year on average from 2016 to 2019 and then decreased sharply by 4.4%/year from 2019 to 2021, resulting in a stable specific consumption over 2016-2021 at EU level. It can be explained by a larger share of SUVs in new cars sales (almost 50% of sales in 2021, with higher specific consumptions) and also a higher share of gasoline cars, which specific consumption is higher than diesel cars. 
  • Despite the decreasing trend seen on two last years, 10 countries have seen a growth in specific consumption of new thermal cars since 2016. 

Long term specific consumption trends of new cars