Dutch motorists have been driving more, even as fuel prices have surged. What has changed, however, is where they fill up. Increasing numbers of drivers are crossing the border to refuel, according to mobility consultancy Goudappel.
Researchers reviewed 276,000 trip records from 8,160 motorists between February 16 and April 27. Before fuel prices spiked, drivers covered an average of 188 kilometres per week. In the weeks after the price increase, the distance rose to over 210 kilometres. Motorists also used their cars more frequently, up to 5 days per week.
Goudappel expert Peter van der Mede calls the findings “striking.” He notes that motorists are typically price‑sensitive and adjust their behaviour accordingly. “Price elasticity is normal in the traffic world”, he explains.
Border crossing
The data shows a sharp rise in cross‑border refuelling. In Belgium, the share of Dutch motorists filling up increased by nearly 40 percent. Refuelling in Germany also rose, though to a lesser extent. “So we have started driving differently, not less”, Van der Mede concludes.
Warning
Fuel prices in the Netherlands have climbed significantly due to the conflict in the Middle East. By contrast, Belgium and Germany maintain lower pump prices because of reduced taxation. Dutch petrol station owners in border regions have long warned that they are losing customers to cheaper stations just across the border.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
