China consumes less fuel - Electric transition faster than expected
In China, the transition away from fossil fuels in transportation is apparently happening faster than expected. At least, current data from the country's largest oil corporation suggests that the electric car boom is having a direct impact on the demand for oil. In 2024, 1.3 percent less oil was used for refinery products compared to the previous year, with 394 million tons instead of 300 million tons. These calculations were made by a research institute of the China National Petroleum Corporation. Accordingly, the peak oil consumption of fossil fuels may have been reached, as the institute expects a continued trend. By 2035, gasoline consumption is expected to reduce by 35 to 50 percent, with diesel demand decreasing in similar dimensions, to 100 to 120 million tons. The total consumption of fossil refinery products is expected to drop by 25 to 40 percent, to 240 to 290 million tons. However, the consumption of aviation fuel continues to rise, by up to 70 percent to almost 61 million tons.
The Middle Kingdom is by far the largest emitter of CO2 worldwide. The Communist Party leadership in Beijing is trying to lower the levels by transitioning to renewable energies, and China is now the leading market for electromobility, although its balance sheet is still marred by the high coal share in the power grid. In July, all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids made up the majority of newly registered vehicles for the first time. Thirty million Chinese drive electric cars, roughly ten percent of all registered vehicles.
Energy analyst Lauri Myllyvirta from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air in Helsinki reported that China's fuel demand this year (January to October) would have been 14 percent higher if the entire distance covered by electric cars had been traveled using combustion engines, as reported by Der Spiegel. Experts estimate that the development could signify a turning point in China's role as the main driver of global growth in oil consumption. The shift in propulsion in China is occurring faster than many expected in any case.
Translated automatically from German.Elektromobilität , Newsletter Elektromobilität , IAA Mobility , SUVs und Geländewagen , Hybrid , Antriebsarten, Kraftstoffe und Emissionen , Oberklasse- und Sportwagen , Carsharing , Autonomes Fahren (Straßenverkehr) , Ladeinfrastruktur , Verkehrspolitik , Formel E , Brennstoffzellen , Fahrzeug-Vernetzung und -Kommunikation , Fahrzeuge & Fuhrpark , Automotive-Messen & Veranstaltungen , Pkw, Kompakt- und Mittelklasse , Minis und Kleinwagen , E-Auto-Datenbank, E-Mobilität-/Automotive-Newsletter, E-Auto-Tests