Yearly total fuel sales in Canada have witnessed significant fluctuations over the past few years. From pandemic-induced declines to gradual recoveries, the landscape of fuel consumption reflects broader economic and social trends. In this blog post, we delve into the recent data on gasoline and diesel sales, breaking down yearly and daily totals based on reports from Statistics Canada.
Total Gas Sales
2022 Highlights
- Gross sales of gasoline in Canada reached a staggering 42.5 billion liters in 2022, marking a 5.6% annual increase compared to 2021.
- Notably, this volume represents approximately 95% of the pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019 (44.8 billion liters) before the COVID-19 outbreak.
- As travel restrictions eased, Canadians resumed their pre-pandemic travel behavior, contributing to the surge in gasoline sales.
- The National Travel Survey reported that Canadians embarked on about 258.8 million domestic trips in 2022, equivalent to roughly 94% of the trips taken in 2019.
- Additionally, the number of workers commuting by car increased by over 2 million (20.8%) in May 2022 compared to the same month in the previous year.
- Despite these positive trends, gross sales of gasoline remained below the 2019 levels.
Regional Trends
- Ontario witnessed the highest increase in gasoline sales, rising by 11.5% in 2022.
- Other provinces also experienced growth, with Alberta at 9.5%, Nova Scotia at 2.3%, and Yukon also at 2.3%.
Sales of Diesel
2022 Insights
- Net sales of diesel fuel in 2022 totaled approximately 18.3 billion liters, representing a modest increase of 2.4% compared to the pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
- The rise in diesel sales reflects economic recovery and increased commercial activity.
- Interestingly, new motor vehicle registrations declined in 2022, with approximately 1.5 million new registrations compared to the annual average of over 1.9 million registrations in the three years before the pandemic (2017 to 2019).
- However, the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) increased significantly, accounting for nearly 10% of new registrations by the fourth quarter of 2022.
Regional Variations
- Alberta led the way in diesel sales growth, posting an impressive 13.0% increase in 2022.
- Other provinces also saw notable gains, including British Columbia at 11.4% and Yukon at 4.9%.
Motor vehicle fuel sales in Canada reflect a dynamic interplay of economic factors, travel behavior, and environmental consciousness. As the world transitions toward cleaner energy sources, monitoring these trends becomes crucial. Whether you’re a road-trip enthusiast or a business owner, understanding fuel consumption patterns helps shape our collective future.
For more detailed data and official reports, visit the Statistics Canada website. Stay informed, drive responsibly, and let’s navigate the road ahead together.