Czech fuel consumption increased 38% in 2006

Total fuel consumption amounted to 7.3 billion liters in 2006, up from 5.3 billion in 2000, which is a growth of 38%. Petrol made up 37% of last year’s consumption. Loula said the data includes not only supplies to petrol stations, but also wholesale sales to segments with high diesel oil consumption, such as transport, construction, and agriculture. Czech diesel oil consumption rose to 4.6 billion liters in 2006 from 2.8 billion in 2000, a growth of 64%.

Diesel oil consumption per capita reached 446 liters in 2006, up from 277 liters in 2000. But most EU countries show higher consumption per capita. Loula said the growth was due to economic growth, increased lorry transport, and a boom in the building sector. Another factor is increased demand for cars with diesel engines. In 2005, diesel cars made up 42% of the total Czech fleet, up from 25% in 2000, the Czech Statistical Office said.

Cars riding on petrol made up 51% of the Czech fleet in 2005, down from 60% in 2000. In the EU, diesel cars account for up to 65% of the total fleet. The share of diesel oil sold at petrol stations is growing too, said Loula. In 2000, the average share of diesel in total sales at petrol stations was 35%. At present, its share is 52%. In contrast, petrol consumption grew only slightly, to 2.7 billion liters in 2006 from 2.5 billion in 2000. Loula said the slow growth was due to lower consumption by cars, lower supply of the 91-octane petrol, and increased consumption of LPG and CNG.

Czech petrol consumption per capita reached 260 liters in 2006, up from 248 liters in 2000. Total fuel consumption per head grew to 705 liters in 2006 from 525 liters in 2000. In Western Europe, consumption per capita is still higher. (petrolplaza)