More and more cars run on diesel

The number of motor vehicles in the Netherlands rose by 10 percent in four years to reach nearly 8 million on 1 January 2004. In particular the number of cars running on diesel is increasing steadily. Currently, a quarter of all cars are fitted with diesel engines. The number of company cars rose by 15 percent, the number of privately owned cars by 9 percent.

More motor vehicles and a rising population

More people, more cars

In the space of four years the number of cars in the Netherlands grew by 10 percent, whereas population growth over the same period was only 2.5 percent.

Cars by use and type of fuel, 2000-2004

One quarter more cars run on diesel

The number of diesel engine cars, company owned as well as privately owned, increased by 28 percent in the period 2000-2004. On 1 January 2004 a quarter of all cars in the Netherlands were fitted with diesel engines. Some 72 percent of company cars have diesel engines.

Petrol engine still prevails

Although the share of cars running on diesel is growing, most cars (71 percent) still run on petrol. Among private owners the number of cars running on petrol rose by 7 percent in 2004 compared to 2000. In the last two years the number of petrol engine cars shrank by 2.5 and 4 percent respectively.

Dutch motor vehicles by use and type of fuel, 2004

Average fuel consumption levels off

The changes in the number of motor vehicles running on petrol and diesel are reflected in the amounts of motor fuels sold by petrol stations. The most recent figures refer to 2002 and show that the amounts of diesel and petrol sold were respectively 22 and 6 percent up on 1999. The increase in fuel sales is reflected in the increase in the number of vehicles. Average fuel consumption per vehicle remained virtually unchanged in this period.

Roos Schellings