Trends in road transport

  • The consumption of road transport has increased very rapidly in most EU countries since 2020 (+4.9%/year at EU level), after the strong reduction of 2020 due to COVID (-12.7%). It grew in 2022 (+2.3%), despite a strong rise in motor fuel prices in 2022 (+24%).
  • Previously, it grew slowly at EU level between 2013 and 2019 (+1.6%/year), with disparities across countries: significant growth in most Eastern countries, stabilization or slow growth in most Western countries. This trend is mainly explained by the economic growth rebound (+2.1%/year increase of the GDP) and significant decrease of motor fuel prices (-2.6%/year).

Energy consumption trends in road transport


  • Before that, consumption of road transport decreased between 2007 and 2013 (-1.5%/year), after a rapid progression between 2000 and 2007 (1.6%/year) despite increasing motor fuel prices.

Energy consumption of road transport, fuel prices and GDP (EU)