Diesel was the primary energy source for road transport in the EU in 2022, while Cyprus held the highest share of gasoline use among EU member states, according to data released by Eurostat, the European Union's statistical office.

In particular, both diesel and gasoline remained the leading energy sources for road transport in 2022.

Across the EU, diesel (excluding the biofuel portion) accounted for 65% of road transport energy consumption, making it the most widely used source. Gasoline (also excluding the biofuel portion) followed with a 25% share, ahead of renewable energy sources and biofuels (6%), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (2%), natural gas (1%), and electricity (0.3%).

Diesel remained the dominant energy source for road transport in most EU countries, though there were notable differences between member states.

The highest shares of diesel consumption were recorded in Latvia (80%) and Lithuania (76%), followed by Ireland, Austria, and Spain, each with 74%. In contrast, the lowest shares were observed in Sweden (45%), Cyprus (46%), and the Netherlands (48%).

Cyprus stood out with the highest share of gasoline consumption for road transport at 50%, followed by the Netherlands (42%) and Malta (36%). On the other end of the spectrum, Lithuania (13%), Latvia (14%), and Bulgaria (15%) reported the lowest shares of gasoline usage.

According to the data, energy consumption in the transport sector saw a significant increase in 2022, particularly in road and air transport, approaching pre-pandemic levels.

Overall, in 2022, transport accounted for 31% of the EU’s final energy consumption, the largest share among sectors, followed by households (27%) and industry (25%).

Road transport was the largest consumer of energy, responsible for 74% of the total energy consumption in transport, equivalent to 10,996 petajoules (PJ). Maritime transport accounted for 13% (1,935 PJ), while air transport made up 11% (1,700 PJ), and rail transport 1% (214 PJ).

Notably, air transport saw a 57% increase in energy consumption in 2022 compared to 2021, the largest increase in the transport sector. Energy consumption in air transport approached pre-pandemic levels after sharp declines in 2020 and 2021.

There was also a continued rise in energy consumption in road transport, though less pronounced, with levels also nearing those of 2019.