The Netherlands most expensive EU country to own and use a car
The Netherlands is the most expensive country in Europe to drive a car, according to the new CarCost Index of car leasing and fleet management company LeasePlan. The LeasePlan CarCost Index is a study of the costs of car ownership and its usage in 11 European countries - Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. On average, Dutch motorists spend between € 600 and € 800 on their cars each month, depending on their fuel choice. The cost of driving a diesel car can vary as much as € 350 a month across Europe.
The research shows that the average cost of driving a petrol car in the Netherlands is € 660 per month; and € 805 for a diesel car. In Germany, the monthly average is between € 418 (petrol) and € 454 (diesel). This is comparable to costs in the Czech Republic (€ 406 (petrol), € 455 (diesel)). Driving a car in the United Kingdom and Sweden is more expensive, respectively € 600 (petrol) / € 630 (diesel) and € 582 (petrol) / € 576 (diesel).
Within Europe, the fuel costs are highest in Italy, while in Switzerland fuel price for diesel deviates the most. The Swiss government has been taxing this fuel type heavily for years because of its higher levels of NOx and particulate emissions. On the contrary in the Netherlands, the price of a liter of diesel is significantly lower than the price of a liter of petrol.
Looking at mainternance costs, the UK is the most attractive market, Sweden is the most expensive market. Spain heads the list of most expensive insurance cost in Europe, while in Germany the lowest car registration and taxation fees are measured. Click here to find some of the highlights of the CarCost Index.
Total cost elements of a car
LeasePlan drew upon its knowledge and experience from its own multi-branded fleet for the Index survey. The Index provides an overview of the total cost elements of a car in the C-segment (20,000 km per year, on the basis of three years). This analysis is based on factors such as purchase price, depreciation, insurance, repair costs and maintenance, taxes and fuel costs. Fixed costs, such as maintenance and taxes, represent 70% of the total cost ─ indicating that motorists have minimal influence on the overall cost. Depreciation is the largest of these fixed costs, representing 36%.
Sven-Torsten Huster, Chief Operating Officer of LeasePlan: "Statements are often made that certain European countries are more expensive for motorists compared to others. Yet there was insufficient research to confirm these suspicions until now. In order to compare European markets you must thoroughly understand them and have insight into regulatory differences. There is much more to take in to consideration than just purchase price or taxes. Therefore we always recommend that motorists consider the bigger picture when they decide to buy or lease a car, whether secondhand or new.”
