Data extracted in December 2025
Planned update: December 2026
Highlights
Transport statistics include information on transport equipment - the type and number of vehicles/vessels/aircraft that are used and their main characteristics. This article provides information related to transport equipment in the European Union, EFTA countries, candidate countries and potential candidate for 4 modes of transport: railway, road, inland waterway and air.
Railway transport equipment: more electrical energy
By 2024, the use of electricity as a source of power for locomotives had increased over the years in most EU countries (Table 1). Still, in 2024, the 3 vcBaltic countries relied exclusively on diesel-powered locomotives. Among the 24 EU countries for which data are available (from a total of 25 countries, as there are no railways in Cyprus nor Malta), electricity was the main source of power for railcars in 18 countries (over 90% in Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland (2020 data) and Sweden), the remaining ones (especially Lithuania and Romania) still relying heavily on diesel. Since 2014, the transition towards the use of more electric railcars was particularly noticeable in Greece, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia (Table 2).
When grouping the EU countries that were also able to report 2005 figures, it appears in 2024, there were 1.6% less electric locomotives and 34.2% less diesel locomotives; conversely, during this 19-year time period, the number of electric railcars progressed by 315.5% and that of diesel railcars by 37.9%.
Electric locomotives became a majority only in 2021, while electric railcars have been predominant since the origin of this data collection (1990). Hence, the electrification of the tractive units has mainly been a result of the shift from locomotives to trainsets rather than the increase of the electric share within each type of tractive unit.
Among candidate countries and potential candidate, Moldova, Albania and Kosovo (*) remain with 100% diesel tractive units, while North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye show noticeable progress in electrification.
Kosovo*: This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
Source: Eurostat (rail_eq_locon)
Source: Eurostat (rail_eq_locon)
Passenger railway vehicles include coaches, passenger railcars, railcar trailers, sleeping and dining cars. Figure 1 shows their number for selected countries. As large countries with an extensive railway network, Germany and France stand out with a total number of 29 528 and 25 753 vehicles, respectively, in 2024, followed at a considerable distance by Italy (14 013), Poland (7 139) and Spain (6 117). The relative significance of passenger rail transport in eastern EU countries is also reflected by the comparatively high numbers in Czechia, Romania and Hungary.
Road transport equipment: Nordic countries continue to lead the new registration of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) in 2024
In 2024, the highest shares of zero-emission passenger cars among the new registrations were noted in Denmark (51.3%), Malta (37.7% - boosted by government grants), Sweden (34.9%) and the Netherlands (34.6%). High shares (exceeding the EU average of 13.5%) were also recorded in Finland (29.5%), Belgium (28.0%), Luxembourg (27.4%), Portugal (19.9%), Austria (17.6%), France (16.6%) and Ireland (14.2%) (Table 3).
General efforts to improve the air quality especially in urban areas, and compliance with the revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD – 'Directive (EU) 2024/2881 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe'), which, for the transport sector, notably calls for low- or zero-emission zones for traffic, have had an influence on the share of zero-emission motor coaches and buses among the new registrations. Indeed, these were even higher than for new passenger cars both at EU total level (17.8% vs. 13.5%) and for most EU countries: Luxembourg (76.0% vs. 27.4%), Denmark (63.8% vs. 51.3%), Finland (56.9% vs. 29.5%), the Netherlands (46.0% vs. 34.6%), Romania (35.1% vs. 6.5%), Greece (31.5% vs. 6.4%), Ireland (28.8% vs. 14.2%), Lithuania (25.6% vs. 6.7%), Italy (17.9% vs. 4.2%), Spain (15.3% vs. 5.6%), Germany (13.9% vs. 13.5%), Poland (9.2% vs. 3.0%), Estonia (9.1% vs. 5.1%), and Latvia (9.0% vs. 7.4%).
For EFTA countries the picture is somewhat different: due to a package of incentives starting as early as the 1990s, the share of new zero-emission passenger cars is very high in Norway (87.9% vs. 41.8% for motor coaches and buses). In Iceland (26.0% vs. 3.0%) and in Liechtenstein (23.1% vs. 0.0%) the shares are far lower. In Switzerland, both shares are at the same level, around 20%.
The share of zero-emission light lorries among the new registrations exceeded the EU average (6.1%) in Sweden (21.3%), Malta (16.6%), Denmark (15.2%), Greece (13.5%), Finland (12.7%), Austria (8.8%), the Netherlands (8.7%), France, Portugal (both 7.6%), and Luxembourg (7.4%). For this vehicle category too, the increase of the number of low- and zero-emission zones, especially in urban areas, is expected to lead to higher shares in the future.
The average share of zero-emission mopeds of 20 countries for which data are available was 39.1% in 2024. Very much influenced by national subvention schemes or tax benefits, encouraging the acquisition of electric mopeds, the share was above this average in 9 countries, among which Malta (98.0%) and Cyprus (93.0%) stand out, as nearly all newly registered mopeds were electric. The other countries were Lithuania (67.9%), Croatia (52.7%), Luxembourg (51.4%), Ireland (50.7%), Germany (48.5%), Belgium (43.6%), and the Netherlands (41.4%).
Expectedly, the average share of new zero-emission motorcycles was much lower: among the 22 countries for which data are available, it amounted to just 2.6% in 2024. Inherently, motorcycles (with a more powerful engine and a longer range, implying a larger and heavier battery pack) are more difficult to 'electrify'. The share was above the EU average in 8 countries: France (10.5%), Lithuania (6.7%), Romania (5.4%), Latvia and Austria (both 3.3%), Croatia (3.0%) and Estonia and Spain (both 2.8%).
Candidate countries record usually much lower rates of electric vehicles among new registrations, except Ukraine for passenger cars (strong incentives from the government) and Georgia, Türkiye and Ukraine for mopeds.
Source: Eurostat (road_eqr_zev) and (road_eqr_mopeds)
In 2024 the number of newly registered zero-emission passenger cars in the EU countries reached almost 1.5 million (Table 4), which was about 47 times higher than in 2014 and 6 times higher than in 2019. The number of new zero-emission motor coaches and buses in the EU exceeded 6 000 units while the number of newly registered zero-emission light lorries (typically delivery vans) was close to 90 000 in 2024. The heavy lorries and road tractors are far behind, but they show a steady increase.
Source: Eurostat (road_eqr_zev)
Motorisation rate of passenger cars: stark differences in the Baltic States
The EU featured an average motorisation rate of 578 passenger cars per thousand inhabitants in 2024 (Map 1). In 12 countries, the rate exceeded this average; most notably in Italy (701 passenger cars per 1 000 inhabitants), Luxembourg (670), Finland (666) and Cyprus (661). Conversely, the lowest motorisation rates were recorded in Latvia (424), Romania (444) and Hungary (447).
Among the EFTA group of countries, Liechtenstein (767 cars) and Iceland (639 cars) clearly exceeded the EU average while Switzerland (542 cars) and Norway (517 cars) showed slightly lower motorisation rates.
All candidate countries had lower motorisation rates than Latvia (424).
Passenger cars over 20 years of age: lowest proportion in Denmark, highest in Estonia
The age of a country’s passenger car fleet may be considered as a prosperity indicator, but in terms of environmental concerns, it also gives an indication on the depollution characteristics: the younger the car fleet, the lower the emissions per vehicle for a given mileage, as emission standards have become stricter over time. The first emissions standards were introduced in 1992 ('Euro 1'), the most recent standard applicable for 2024 was 'Euro 6e'. Conversely, old vehicles are generally driving less, and some vehicles no longer on the road may still linger in certain national vehicle registers. Table 5 focuses on the proportion of the passenger car fleet older than 20 years and Table 6 on the renewal rate, i.e. the proportion of the passenger car fleet that has been replaced by new vehicles (excluding imported second-hand vehicles).
On the basis of available data (for 21 EU countries), the proportion of passenger cars older than 20 years is lowest in Denmark (5.9%), followed by Luxembourg (6.4%). On the other side of the spectrum, there were 4 EU countries where more than a third of all registered passenger cars in 2024 were over 20 years old: Estonia (36.3%), Romania (35.9%), Poland (35.1%) and Finland (34.2%).
Renewal of the passenger car fleet: rate ranging from 1.4% to 10.2%
In 2024, the renewal rate of passenger cars (ratio of first-registered to total passenger cars, excluding imported second-hand vehicles) in the EU countries ranged from 1.4% in Bulgaria to 10.2% in Luxembourg (Table 6). Renewal rates were relatively high between 2017 and 2019, but lower percentages were noted from 2020 onwards. At national level, the differences are quite large: 5 EU countries (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden) showed a renewal rate exceeding 5% in 2024, whereas 3 countries (Bulgaria, Lithuania and Romania) remained under 2%. The exceptionally high renewal rates for Luxembourg (10.2% in 2024 and sometimes higher in previous years) are influenced by an important market share of leasing cars where vehicle replacements often occur after only a few years.
Source: Eurostat (road_eqr_carmot) and (road_eqs_carmot)
Motorisation rate of buses and coaches: highest in Malta, Luxembourg and Estonia
In 2024, there were 737 142 buses and motor coaches (including trolleybuses, mini-buses and mini-coaches) in the European Union, i.e. 1.6 buses and coaches per 1 000 inhabitants. This motorisation rate had remained stable for 10 years.
Across countries it varied from 0.5 in the Netherlands to 4.6 in Malta (Map 2). Besides Malta, Luxembourg (4.0), Estonia (3.7), Finland (3.5) and Cyprus (3.2) recorded rates above 3.0. Free transport recently established in Luxembourg (March 2020) and in Malta (October 2022 for residents) is an effort to compensate for the very high number of passenger cars per km2 and the resulting traffic density problems in these countries. Among the EFTA group of countries, Iceland reported a very high rate of 5.0, even largely exceeding the EU country with the highest rate (Malta). By contrast, besides the Netherlands (0.5), low rates were recorded in Germany (1.0), Austria (1.2) and Sweden (1.3).
Looking at the map, and apart from various cases mentioned earlier, the eastern EU countries generally show higher rates, reflecting the traditionally strong position of public transport.
Source: Eurostat (road_eqs_busmot) and (demo_gind)
Regarding the renewal rates of buses, motor coaches, trolleybuses, mini-buses and mini-coaches, 13 EU countries recorded rates above the EU average (5.1%) in 2024, among which Luxembourg (11.6%), the Netherlands (9.6%), Austria (9.5%) and Latvia (8.3%) showed the highest values. EFTA country Iceland also reported an exceptionally high renewal rate, at 10.2% (Figure 2). At the other side of the spectrum, the lowest renewal rate was in Bulgaria (0.7%).
Source: Eurostat (road_eqr_busmot) and (road_eqs_busmot)
Increase in motorisation rate of road tractors in almost all EU countries during the last decade
Road freight transport remains of high importance in the EU. Large parts of this transport occur with semi-trailers, attached to road tractors. For about 20 years, some countries have been particularly active in this domain, taking advantage of the market liberalisation which notably allows cross-trade and cabotage transport operations. This is reflected by their high motorisation rates: Lithuania and Poland display the highest rates with 18.5 and 14.2 road tractors per 1 000 inhabitants, respectively, far ahead of Estonia, Hungary and Romania, all displaying a rate of around 10. The average rate at EU level was 5.0 road tractors per 1 000 inhabitants (Table 7). Czechia (0.3), Sweden (0.9), and Malta (2.0) recorded the lowest rates.
Figure 3 compares the 2024 situation with that of a decade earlier, showing that the motorisation rate in the earlier-mentioned Baltic and eastern European countries has further increased.
Source: Eurostat (road_eqs_lorroa) and (demo_gind)
Source: Eurostat (road_eqs_lorroa) and (demo_gind)
Inland waterway transport equipment: large differences between 'Rhine' and 'Danube' countries
In the last 19 years (2005-2024), a global decrease of approximately 20% in the total number of inland waterway vessels has been noted, especially in the most important countries for which data are available (Germany, Romania, Belgium, France). The Netherlands recorded even a sharper decrease: 21.9% since 2014. Between 2005 and 2024, significant increases in the number of self-propelled vessels were observed only in Bulgaria (355%), Croatia (117%) and Finland (9%). However, the increases in the three aforementioned countries must be put into perspective, as these EU countries have only recently developed their previously small fleets. In 2024, Croatia's self-propelled vessel fleet included 13 units only, Bulgaria's 50 and Finland's 147 (Table 8).
Source: Eurostat (iww_eq_age) and (iww_eq_loadcap)
In 2024, self-propelled vessels accounted for 73.0% of the total loading capacity in the Netherlands, 72.8% in Germany and 66.8% in France. In Romania, dumb and pushed vessels (84.3%) were responsible for the majority of the load capacity, while in Belgium the share of the load capacity of self-propelled vessels and dumb and pushed vessels was 49.5% and 50.5%, respectively (Figure 4). Bulgaria, Slovakia and Serbia have the same profile as Romania, with a load capacity of dumb and pushed vessels 4 times greater than that of self-propelled vessels.
Source: Eurostat (iww_eq_loadcap)
The percentage of self-propelled vessels with medium loading capacity (from 1 000 to 2 999 tonnes) stood at over 50% in Slovakia (96.5%), Bulgaria (96.0%), Croatia (78.6%), Romania (67.4%), France (59.0%) and the Netherlands (50.7%). Only Belgium and the Netherlands recorded a high share (>40%) of self-propelled vessels with high loading capacity (3 000 tonnes and over) (Figure 5).
Source: Eurostat (iww_eq_loadcap)
Concerning dumb and pushed vessels, the ones with load capacity from 1 000 to 2 999 tonnes had the highest share in Bulgaria (99.3%), Slovakia (95.4%), Romania (93.1%), Croatia (70.2%), France (68.1%), and the Netherlands (57.1%). Belgium and the Netherlands had again the highest shares of dumb and pushed vessels with high load capacity (3 000 tonnes and over) (Figure 6).
Source: Eurostat (iww_eq_loadcap)
Air transport equipment: 10% of the commercial aircraft fleet of the EU was registered in Malta alone
61% of commercial aircrafts are passenger aircrafts
In 2023, there were 6 037 commercial aircraft operated by EU countries, a 15.2% increase compared with 2013. Around 61% of the commercial aircraft in the EU were used to carry passengers, while cargo aircraft accounted for 6.5% (Figure 7). Quick-change aircraft (0.1%) only made up a tiny fraction of the commercial fleet in the EU. Around 33% of the commercial fleet were 'other aircraft'; this category includes mainly business/corporate/executive aircraft but also special purpose/ambulance aircraft.
Source: Eurostat (avia_eq_arc_typ)
In 2023, the largest commercial aircraft fleet in the EU was registered in Germany, followed now by Malta
Besides the category of aircraft, Eurostat collects data on the operator's country as well as on the country of registration (an aircraft is normally registered with the National Aviation Authority of its operator, except when it is leased). In 2023, Germany, Malta, Spain and France recorded the largest numbers of commercial aircraft operated by EU countries (see Figure 8). The largest aircraft fleet was operated by Germany (1 113 aircraft accounting for a 18% share of the EU total), followed by Malta (584; 10% share), Spain (574; 10% share), France (530; 9% share), Ireland (442; 7% share) and Austria (413; 7% share). Malta was ranked only number 8 in 2019, with a 5% share. In terms of the number of aircraft per million inhabitants, Malta (1 036) and Luxembourg (176) held the highest values, while Italy, Slovakia (both 4) and Romania (2) had the lowest.
Source: Eurostat (avia_eq_arc_typ)
When looking at the breakdown by country of aircraft registration (avia_eq_arc_typreg), the top 10 countries with the highest values were the same as per the breakdown by operator country; however, Ireland was now in third place, France in fourth and Spain in fifth. The top 5 countries with the lowest values remained the same (Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia and Lithuania).
The high ranking of Malta is due to 241 'other aircraft' (see Figure 9), but also to 337 passenger aircraft (see Figure 10) in 2023, as a number of low-cost airlines and/or their subsidiaries have registered their headquarters and their aircraft fleet in this small country. Malta counted 57 'other aircrafts' and 16 passenger aircraft in 2013.
Germany is particularly predominant in 'other aircraft' (24% of EU fleet) while Ireland and the Netherlands did not report significant numbers. Portugal features a higher share than some far larger countries, such as France, Spain or Italy.
Source: Eurostat (avia_eq_arc_typ)
There is less predominance of a given country in 'passenger aircraft' (Figure 10). The number of passenger aircraft operated by Irish companies has decreased since 2018 (-198 aircraft). This situation is to be related to the strong increase of passenger aircraft operated by companies registered in Malta (+ 311), as both countries are home to low-cost companies. The Italian aircraft fleet has noticeably increased again since 2021 (+54 aircrafts), after a continuous decline since 2007.
Source: Eurostat (avia_eq_arc_typ)
Source data for tables and graphs
Data sources
Eurostat collects data on transport using the Common Questionnaire on Inland Transport Statistics developed by the UNECE, ITF and Eurostat and the Eurostat Questionnaire on Air Transport Statistics. Some gaps have been filled in with estimates of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), the European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO) or of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Data are classified according to the transport mode and, particularly for transport equipment, refer to vehicles, vessels and aircraft:
- Railway transport: covers locomotives, railcars, passenger railway vehicles and wagons.
- Road transport covers: mopeds, motorcycles, passenger cars, motor coaches, buses and trolley buses, lorries and road tractors, trailers and semi-trailers are included in this category. Data refer to the total number of vehicles as well as to new registrations.
- New motor vehicles registered during the year (= first registered vehicles): the new motor vehicles registered during the year are those motor vehicles that are first-time registered as new in a motor vehicle register, irrespective of the nationality of the register.
- Imported second-hand vehicles are not first-time registered but should be regarded as re-registered vehicles. Thus, should not be included in the number of new motor vehicles registered first time during the year.
- Inland waterway transport covers freight vessels, classified according to the load capacity and date of construction.
- Air transport covers commercial aircraft only, by type and age of aircraft.
Most data have been available since 1990 (in some cases since 1970) and are collected for the EU, EFTA and EU candidate countries and potential candidates. Not all data are available for all EU countries, which makes it difficult to derive EU averages.
Context
The 'European Green Deal' of 11 December 2019 (COM(2019) 640 final) is the Commission's plan to make the EU's economy sustainable. Its aim is to turn climate and environmental challenges into opportunities and make the transition just and inclusive for all. The European Green Deal provides an action plan to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy restore biodiversity and cut pollution. The EU aims to be climate neutral in 2050.
In its Communication of 9 December 2020 (COM(2020) 789 final), the Commission sets out its 'Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy'. It outlines that by far the most serious challenge facing the transport sector is to significantly reduce its emissions and become more sustainable. At the same time, this transformation offers great opportunities for better quality of life and for European industry across the value chains to modernise, create high-quality jobs, develop new products and services, strengthen competitiveness and pursue global leadership as other markets are moving fast towards zero-emission mobility.
This strategy comprises a roadmap for putting European transport firmly on the right track for a sustainable and smart future. Various milestones are set out to show the European transport system's path towards achieving the objectives of a sustainable, smart and resilient mobility, thereby indicating the necessary ambition for future policies. These milestones comprise:
- By 2030, at least 30 million zero-emission vehicles will be in operation on European roads and high-speed rail traffic will double.
- By 2035, zero-emission large aircraft will become ready for market.
- By 2050, nearly all cars, vans, buses as well as new heavy-duty vehicles will be zero emission, rail freight traffic will double and high-speed rail traffic will triple.
Footnotes
Explore further
Other articles
Database
- Transport
- Railway transport (rail), see:
- Railway transport equipment (rail_eq)
- Road transport (road), see:
- Road transport equipment — Stock of vehicles (road_eqs)
- Road transport equipment — New registration of vehicles (road_eqr)
- Inland waterways transport (iww), see:
- Inland waterways transport equipment (iww_eq)
- Air transport (avia), see:
- Air transport equipment (avia_eq)
Thematic section
Publications
Selected datasets
- Transport, see selected datasets:
- Railway transport (rail)
- Road transport (road)
- Inland waterways transport (iww)
- Air transport (avia)
Methodology
External links
Legislation
- Roadmap to a single European transport area — Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system (COM(2011) 144 final)
- A sustainable future for transport: towards an integrated, technology-led and user friendly system (COM(2009) 279 final)
- Summaries of EU legislation: A sustainable future for European transport
- Keep Europe moving — sustainable mobility for our continent (mid-term review communication; COM(2006) 314 final)
- European transport policy for 2010: time to decide (EU transport policy White Paper; COM(2001) 370 final)