The number of cars registered in Belgium decreases for the third year in a row

In 2022, 374,597 passenger cars were registered in Belgium, or 4.6% fewer than in 2021. In 2019, 557,970 new cars were put into service, which means that the market has decreased by about one third in three years.
Sales of new hybrid passenger cars (petrol or diesel + electric) increased by 15%, from 115,317 cars in 2021 to 133,184 in 2022. Sales of purely electric cars also rose sharply, from 22,774 in 2021 to 37,760 in 2022 (+66%).
The share of new diesel cars fell sharply again in 2022, below the 15% mark.
With a market share of 39%, petrol cars remain the most popular new cars. However, they are losing ground again (-14%) mainly to the benefit of hybrid passenger cars, but also electric cars, which together account today for a market share of 46%, while this figure was only 8% in 2019.
71% of newly registered hybrid and electric cars in 2022 are cars registered by enterprises, and 29% by individuals.
Registration of new vehicles | 1998 | 2008 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Evolution 2022/2021 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 549,172 | 652,590 | 550,668 | 506,131 | 470,735 | -7.0% | ||||
Passenger vehicles | 463,724 | 540,542 | 439,038 | 392,769 | 374,597 | -4.6% | ||||
Buses and coaches | 1,031 | 1,207 | 792 | 944 | 595 | -37.0% | ||||
Commercial vehicles for the transport of goods (a) | 54,711 | 70,497 | 75,810 | 75,786 | 59,619 | -21.3% | ||||
Tractors (b) | 5,495 | 6,331 | 3,311 | 4,278 | 5,253 | +22.8% | ||||
Agricultural tractors | 2,944 | 3,901 | 4,990 | 5,709 | 5,108 | -10.5% | ||||
Motorcycles (c) | 21,267 | 30,112 | 26,727 | 26,645 | 25,563 | -4.1% | ||||
(a) Lorries, delivery vans, cross-country vehicles and tank vehicles.
(b) Tractors are commercial motor vehicles coupled to a semi-trailer (vehicle without front axle). (c) All motorcycles driving 40km/h or faster. That is all motorcycles and most mopeds. (d) Remark: The high number of registrations of second-hand agricultural tractors in 2014 is due to the introduction of the red G number plate (re-registration of agricultural tractors) https://mobilit.belgium.be/fr/route/immatriculer-et-radier/immatriculer… Source: Statbel (Statistics Belgium) based on administrative sources. |
Registration of second-hand vehicles* | 1998 | 2008 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Evolution 2022/2021 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 755,199 | 742,926 | 792,440 | 844,333 | 763,297 | -9.6% | ||||
Passenger vehicles | 677,272 | 653,109 | 668,465 | 714,868 | 650,687 | -9.0% | ||||
Buses and coaches | 1,137 | 810 | 848 | 803 | 1,243 | +54.8% | ||||
Commercial vehicles for the transport of goods (a) | 66,048 | 77,426 | 110,480 | 114,647 | 98,108 | -14.4% | ||||
Tractors (b) | 4,698 | 3,288 | 4,630 | 5,030 | 4,872 | -3.1% | ||||
Agricultural tractors | 6,044 | 8,293 | 8,017 | 8,985 | 8,387 | -6.7% | ||||
(a) Lorries, delivery vans, cross-country vehicles and tank vehicles.
(b) Tractors are commercial motor vehicles coupled to a semi-trailer (vehicle without front axle). (d) Remark: The high number of registrations of second-hand agricultural tractors in 2014 is due to the introduction of the red G number plate (re-registration of agricultural tractors) * Specialized vehicles not included. https://mobilit.belgium.be/fr/route/immatriculer-et-radier/immatriculer… Source: Statbel (Statistics Belgium) based on administrative sources. |
Purpose and brief description
This statistic provides an overview of all new and second-hand motor vehicles in Belgium that were registered with the Vehicle Registration Service (D.I.V.) of the FPS Mobility in a certain period.
Population
Motor vehicles
Data collection method and sample size
Administrative data
Periodicity
Annually.
Release calendar
Results available 1 month after the reference period.
Definitions
Vehicle types: passenger cars, buses and coaches, lorries, tractors, agricultural tractors, specialized vehicles, motorcycles
Commercial vehicles for the transport of goods: Lorries, delivery vans, cross-country vehicles and tank vehicles.
Fuel type: petrol, diesel, gas, electricity
Tractors are commercial motor vehicles coupled to a semi-trailer (vehicle without front axle).
Specialized vehicles are slow vehicles whose dimensions and weight exceed the established maximum limits. The maximum authorized weight in Belgium is 44 tonnes. Vehicles of this category may therefore only be used on public roads under strict conditions.
All motorcycles driving 40km/h or faster. That is all motorcycles and most mopeds.
Remarks
The high number of registrations of second-hand agricultural tractors is due to the introduction of the red G number plate (re-registration of agricultural tractors)