Specific consumption of new thermal cars by country

  • The average specific consumption of new thermal cars was between 5 and 6 l/100km in almost all EU countries in 2022, with Ireland, France, Greece and Malta in the lower range (around 5.2 l/100km) and Estonia, Luxembourg and Germany in the higher range (above 6.1 l/100km). 
  • At EU level, new thermal cars consumed 2.8 l/100km less in 2022 than in 2000 (5.6 l/100km compared to 8.4 l/100km).

Specific consumption of new thermal cars (2022)

  • The reduction of the specific consumption of new cars 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 thermal 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 4.2%/year from 2019 to 2021. It remained stable in 2022, resulting in a stable specific consumption over 2016-2022 at EU level. It can be explained by a larger share of SUVs in new cars sales (almost 50% of sales in 2022, with higher specific consumptions) and also a higher share of gasoline cars, which specific consumption is higher than diesel cars. 
  • 8 countries have seen a growth in specific consumption of new thermal cars since 2016, despite last years decrease. 

Long term specific consumption trends of new thermal cars