In 2023, out of the 10 regions in the European Union with the lowest motorization rate, two were from Romania.
The two regions in Romania are North-East (327) and South-Muntenia (381), according to data published on Wednesday by the European Statistical Office – Eurostat.
The South-East region has 396 cars per thousand inhabitants.
Following in order are the West region (459), North-West (419), Centre (416), and South-West Oltenia (408).
In 2023, there were on average 0.55 automobiles per inhabitant in the EU, a decrease of 0.1% compared to the previous year.
Regional motorization rates (generated by the number of cars per thousand inhabitants) are often linked to economic conditions but can also be affected by specific circumstances. For example, the record rate in Valle d'Aosta (Italy) is influenced by favorable tax regulations.
Where are the most and least cars in the EU
In 2023, the top three regions with the highest motorization rate were in Italy:
- Valle d'Aosta - 2,295 cars per thousand inhabitants.
- Provincia Autonoma di Trento - 1,521 cars per thousand inhabitants.
- Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen - 915 cars per thousand inhabitants.
Out of the 10 regions in the European Union with the highest motorization rate, six were in Italy and one each in Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
On the other hand, out of the 10 regions with the lowest motorization rate, 4 were in Greece, 2 in France, 2 in Romania, and one each in Germany and Austria. Two are in metropolitan areas - Berlin (340 cars per thousand inhabitants) and Vienna (364).
The lowest motorization rate was recorded in the French overseas region of Mayotte (83 cars per thousand inhabitants), Peloponnese in Greece (206 cars per thousand inhabitants), and French Guiana (223 cars per thousand inhabitants).
European regions with the most electric cars
Regions in the Netherlands and Sweden are among the EU regions with the highest proportion of electric cars in the total number of automobiles.
The highest proportions in 2023 were in:
- Flevoland, the Netherlands (17.1%).
- Hovedstaden, Denmark (8.6%).
- Utrecht, the Netherlands - 8.6%.
Among the top 10 regions in the EU, five are in Denmark, two in the Netherlands, two in Sweden, and one in Belgium.
On the other hand, out of the 10 regions in the EU with the lowest proportion of electric cars (almost zero), six regions are in Greece, two in Spain, and two in Poland.
Romania registers proportions between 0.1 and 1%, except for Bucharest, with 1.17%.