The “Vehicles on European Roads” report by ACEA (Association de Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles), published in February 2024, aims to monitor the activity of the European automotive industry and support its interests, policies, and positions by fostering dialogue with institutions. Founded in 1991, ACEA provides a unique overview of the vehicles on EU roads, detailing the total number, average age, type of fuel, and the number of vehicles owned per household.
The analysis reveals a progressive increase in the age of vehicles, with the slow replacement of older and more polluting vehicles still unable to keep pace with the introduction of new, eco-friendly vehicles. Simultaneously, the number of vehicles on the road is growing—not only cars but also vans, trucks, and buses. “Vehicles on European Roads” offers a revealing mirror of contemporary mobility, allowing us to reflect on the future of transportation and sustainable solutions to improve road traffic.
Vehicles on European Roads: An Overview
In 2022, ACEA identified 254 million cars on European roads, a 1% increase from the previous year. This is a significant figure, especially when compared to the 289 million total vehicles in Europe that year. Among them are over 30 million vans, with Italy in second place (4.4 million) after France. Just over a million trucks are on European roads, with the highest concentration in Poland.
Poland also leads in the number of buses on the road, with more than 128,000 units, followed by Italy’s 100,000. Although the data from “Vehicles on European Roads” refers to 2022, it provides an up-to-date snapshot of European road mobility. Greece ranks first in terms of vehicle age, with an average of around 17 years, far exceeding the European average of 12.5 years.
The most advanced country is Luxembourg, with a national average vehicle age of 7.9 years. Italy ranks first in terms of van fleets, which have an average age of about 14 years. And for trucks and buses? Greece once again takes the lead, with vehicles averaging 23 and 18 years old, respectively. These numbers are crucial to understanding the pace at which the automotive industry is moving towards more sustainable mobility.
Main Trends on European Roads
Despite national differences, the data shows a consistent trend. European vehicles are increasingly present on the roads, with an increasing average age and a cautious approach to sustainable mobility, benefiting from European regulations such as the Green Deal, which is integrated into national policies. However, other factors also affect road mobility. A study by Transport & Environment (T&E) has shown that, since 2001, vehicles in the EU have grown by 1 centimeter every two years.
SUVs, up to a length of 220 centimeters, dominate the roads, focusing on passenger safety but at the expense of road space for bicycles and pedestrians. In this context, the model of the inverted mobility pyramid comes into play. The goal is to reverse the road priority hierarchy, placing soft, shared, and eco-friendly mobility at the top. While in some countries, such as Lithuania, almost half the population does not own a private vehicle, in other nations, such as France, 31.3% of families have two cars each.
Transport is therefore essential for daily travel, as demonstrated by the “Vehicles on European Roads” report, which shows that, in one year, the average distance traveled on European roads is 12,540 kilometers. However, mobility needs to be rethought with a focus on high transport density: consider that, as of 2022, Europe has 574 car passengers and 85 commercial vehicle passengers per 1,000 inhabitants. With these figures in play, the electric push is necessary.
Electric Mobility in Europe
As reported by a survey from the European Alternative Fuels Observatory conducted in 12 EU countries, including Italy, and published on June 20, 2024, by the European Commission, the European population is in favor of the electric transition. Despite the price remaining the main barrier to purchase, according to the 19,000 respondents, the benefits to the climate and the increasing efficiency of electric vehicles (EV) are two factors supporting the electric cause. The invasive growth of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions, which have increased by 38% since 1990 and are expected to account for half of Europe’s emissions by 2030, can no longer be ignored.
The State of European Transport report, released in May 2024, provides an updated snapshot of the current situation. Electric mobility thus serves as a lifeline in an emergency system. Charging infrastructure is increasing across the continent, state incentives for electric vehicles are growing, and the European Community is committed to raising consumer awareness through common regulations and goals, such as the ban on the sale of gasoline and diesel cars by 2035.
At the time of ACEA’s report, only 1.2% of vehicles in Europe were electric and plug-in hybrids. However, growth is on the rise, with six European countries reaching 2%. Although fossil fuels remain the preferred fuel source for commercial vehicles, buses are the closest to reducing emissions, with a percentage of 1.9% for electric buses and 2% for hybrid buses. Europe is thus striving to move away from old, polluting alternatives, but the path is ambitious and requires everyone’s collaboration.
Implications and Challenges
To achieve the goal of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, institutions are facing significant challenges. In April 2024, the European Parliament approved stricter limits for 2030 to control the harmful effects of air pollutants and equalize air quality indices across all member states. With transportation responsible for nearly 30% of Europe’s pollutant emissions, it stands at the forefront of a system that requires a revolution.
Among the main contributors to climate change are gasoline and diesel cars, which still make up 60% of corporate fleets and represent the majority of vehicles on the market. The transformation of the circulating car fleet, with a reduction in the average vehicle age thanks to the electric transition, is a crucial first step. Electric vehicles, in fact, pollute three times less than their internal combustion engine counterparts.
Their younger age compared to older traditional models allows them to quickly meet current eco-sustainability standards, with cost adjustments, energy efficiency, and greater autonomy for electric cars driving the electric market, which has grown by 28% over the last 20 years. In the near future, European transportation data is expected to evolve towards smart city management, moving towards a cleaner Europe focused on all mobility alternatives.