Road traffic volumes, 2009

The diesel-powered road goods vehicles, busses and passenger cars in Norway were driven a total of 22.6 billion kilometres in 2009, while the corresponding petrol-powered vehicles were driven a total of 20 billion kilometres. Thus, the Norwegian diesel-powered vehicles were driven longer than the petrol-powered vehicles for the second year running. Vehicles powered by other fuels were driven a total of 31 million kilometres in 2009; an increase from 25 million kilometres in 2008.

Petrol-powered passenger cars dominate

Petrol-powered passenger cars are still driven more than diesel-powered passenger cars in all. This is due to the fact that most passenger cars sold up to quite recently have been petrol-powered. However, this has changed for passenger cars registered in the three last years. In these age groups, the diesel-powered passenger cars are driven considerably longer in total than the petrol-powered cars.

The average annual driving distances are considerably longer for diesel-powered passenger cars than for petrol-powered cars in all age groups. While a one year old petrol-powered car is driven an average of 15 400 kilometres a year, a one year old diesel-powered car is driven an average of 24 000 kilometres. A ten year old petrol-powered passenger car is driven an average of 12 800 kilometres a year, while a ten year old diesel-powered car is driven an average of 16 800 kilometres. The main reason for this is that diesel-powered cars are used for business purposes to a greater extent.

Norwegian cars were driven less

Norwegian passenger cars, road goods vehicles, buses and coaches were driven a total of 42.6 billion kilometres in 2009; a decline of 1 per cent from the previous year. About a quarter of the decline was due to 2008 being a leap year, causing all vehicles to be used for one extra day that year. The rest of the decline was mainly due to reduced use of road goods vehicles and buses in 2009, as a result of the downward economic trend in the transport sector.

Road tractors were still kept busy

Road tractors are still driven longer than any other type of road vehicle in Norway, even though the annual average was reduced from 71 700 kilometres per road tractor in 2008 to 67 800 kilometres per road tractor in 2009. In comparison, Norwegian taxis were driven an average of 60 500 kilometres in 2009, which was a decline from 63 800 kilometres in the previous year. Norwegian passenger cars were driven 13 400 kilometres on average in 2009; a slight decline from 13 700 kilometres in 2008.

Tables:

• Table 1 Distances covered by vehicles, by type of vehicle. 2005-2009. Million kms
• Table 2 Distances covered by vehicles, by type of vehicle. Average per vehicle. 2005-2009. Kms
• Table 3 Distances covered by vehicles, by type of vehicle and age of vehicle. 2009. Million kms
• Table 4 Distances covered by vehicles, by type and age of vehicle. Average per vehicle. 2009. Kms
• Table 5 Distances covered by vehicles, by type of vehicle and home county of owner. 2009. Million kms
• Table 6 Distances covered by vehicles, by type of vehicle and home county of owner. Average per vehicle. 2009. Kms
• Table 7 Distances covered by vehicles, by type of vehicle and type of fuel. 2005-2009. Million kms
• Table 8 Distances covered by vehicles, by type of vehicle and type of fuel. Average per vehicle. 2005-2009. Kms