This is evidenced by calculations conducted by RTL Z based on data shared by the Ministry of Finance.

Based on excise tax revenues, the ministry knows how many liters of gasoline and diesel are sold annually. This shows that despite the electrification of the vehicle fleet and rising prices, gasoline is being used at a rate no less.

180 million liters more

In 2019, more than 5.81 billion liters of gasoline were fueled. After a significant decline in the Corona years, we have now exceeded that number by 180 million litres. In 2023, we dumped 5.99 billion liters into the tank, according to preliminary figures. That is, an increase of 3.1 percent. Compared to 2017, we consume more than 429 million liters.

Although motorists sigh at the pump, they are relieving the price pain just as easily.

This also means that CO2 emissions from petrol cars have increased by an equal proportion, despite all intentions to reduce emissions from road traffic. Emissions from gasoline cars rose from 13 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide in 2019 to 13.6 billion kilograms. The goal is to make all road traffic emissions-free by 2050.

Much less than diesel

There is a fairly strong downward trend for diesel. The number of liters of diesel fuel decreased by 13 percent between 2019 and 2023, as did the emissions emitted when burning diesel.

On average, emissions from fossil road traffic are decreasing, but this is happening slowly. In four years, it increased by only 6.6 percent.

Corona effect

The fact that we started using more gasoline has something to do with Corona. At the height of the crisis, train travel was not very popular, due to the risk of pollution and the obligation to wear face masks.

The BOVAG Automobile Club said that since the outbreak of the Corona crisis, the fleet has increased by 600,000 cars. “It was hard to come up with events at that time.”

Many people who bought a car at that time never returned to public transportation.

“Therefore, more fuel is also consumed, despite the switch to electricity. Not everyone who trades in diesel immediately buys an electric car. Some switch to gasoline, others to hybrid. The latter are also increasingly sold, but they still consume gasoline.” . Bovage.

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