Energy consumption in transport at pre-pandemic levels

In the EU, in 2022, transport activities accounted for 31% of the final energy consumption, which made it the highest consumer of final energy, ahead of households (27%) and industry (25%).

Road transport was the largest energy consumer, responsible 74% of all energy consumption in transport, or 10 996 petajoules (PJ). Water transport accounted for 13% of all energy consumed in transport (1 935 PJ), followed by air (11%; 1 700 PJ) and rail transport (1%; 214 PJ). 

Compared with 2021, air transport recorded the highest increase in energy consumption, with a striking 57% rise. In 2022, energy consumption levels in air transport were approaching the pre-pandemic figures, following sharp declines in 2020 and 2021. 

Source dataset: nrg_bal_c 

Gas/diesel oil and motor gasoline remained the leading energy sources in road transport

In 2022, gas/diesel oil (excluding the biofuel portion) was the main source of energy in road transport in the EU, with a 65% share. Motor gasoline (excluding the biofuel portion) followed at 25%, ahead of renewables and biofuels (6%), liquefied petroleum gases (2%), natural gas (1%) and electricity (0.3%).

In most EU countries, gas/diesel oil was the primary source of energy for road transport, though there were noticeable differences between the countries. The highest shares were reported in Latvia (80%) and Lithuania (76%), followed by Ireland, Austria, and Spain, each at 74%. In contrast, the lowest shares were recorded in Sweden (45%), Cyprus (46%) and the Netherlands (48%).

The share of motor gasoline was highest in Cyprus (50%), the Netherlands (42%), and Malta (36%). The lowest shares were reported in Lithuania (13%), Latvia (14%) and Bulgaria (15%).

Source dataset: nrg_d_traq