Driving has become noticeably more expensive since February
An average mid-sized car costs around 5.1 per cent more per kilometre than at the start of 2026.
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Motorists have been paying more for fuel since the beginning of February, according to an update from the Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy. For an average mid-sized car, fuel costs per kilometre were around 5.1 per cent higher in week 44 than at the start of February.
In its update, KiM compares fuel prices and fuel consumption. The percentage refers to fuel costs per kilometre for an average mid-sized passenger car; it is not a full calculation of all motoring costs such as insurance, maintenance, depreciation or parking.
The increase may mean a higher fuel bill for motorists if they continue to drive the same number of kilometres. The precise weekly amount varies greatly according to the car, mileage, type of fuel and driving behaviour. The KiM figure therefore does not produce a fixed amount for all motorists.
The development may affect households with few alternatives, for example because they live far from work, school or amenities. For businesses with many vans or passenger cars, higher fuel costs may feed through into travel and delivery costs.
The KiM figure describes the change in fuel costs per kilometre for an average mid-sized car. The publication does not say that all motoring costs have risen to the same extent. Nor does the figure measure loss of purchasing power directly; it shows how one component of transport costs has changed.
For businesses, the impact can be limited by driving fewer kilometres, using more fuel-efficient vehicles or choosing other forms of transport, but such choices are not immediately possible everywhere. For households, the effect depends on whether they can adjust their travel behaviour.
The question behind the figure is who can avoid the increase. People and businesses with few transport alternatives may struggle to avoid higher fuel costs; those able to switch to public transport, cycling or working from home have more ways to limit the bill.
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Both sides of the figures
▲ Bright spots
- The KiM figure shows which part of transport costs is rising and gives businesses a basis for assessing their exposure to fuel prices.
- More efficient vehicles or fewer kilometres can limit exposure to fuel prices, although the source does not measure how much this is already happening.
▼ Concerns
- Fuel costs per kilometre were 5.1 per cent higher in week 44 than at the start of February 2026, according to KiM.
- The percentage says nothing about insurance, maintenance, depreciation or parking; total motoring costs may therefore move differently.
Critical note
This concerns a real price difference per kilometre, not an average measure of purchasing power. The KiM figure gives no fixed weekly amount and does not account for differences between cars and mileages.
Who notices what
- Households
- Households driving many kilometres and with few alternatives may pay more for the same journeys.
- Businesses
- Businesses with fleets or delivery services may see higher fuel costs reflected in their operating expenses.
- Workers
- Employees with long commutes may have little scope to avoid higher fuel costs if they have no transport alternative.
- Government
- The government faces additional pressure to balance affordability, accessibility and sustainability.
Every point comes from the article’s sources and was included in the fact check.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Fuel costs per kilometre rose by around 5.1 per cent since the beginning of February, according to KiM.
- The figure applies to an average mid-sized car.
- The total cost of driving includes more than fuel.
Left
Arguments Higher fuel costs hit people without good alternatives hardest; policy should therefore support affordable public transport and reduce dependence on cars.
Values Affordability, equal opportunities and sustainability.
Consequences Greater investment in alternatives costs public money, but may make households and businesses less dependent on fuel.
Centre
Arguments Price incentives can change behaviour, but should be combined with realistic alternatives and reliable measurements of total mobility costs.
Values Efficiency, proportionality and feasibility.
Consequences A gradual transition limits shocks, but does not immediately change dependence on car use.
Right
Arguments Motorists should not be burdened further if they need their cars; the government should primarily ensure affordable energy and room for freedom of choice.
Values Freedom, accessibility and low costs.
Consequences Lower taxes may ease the bill directly, but could provide fewer incentives for more fuel-efficient transport.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article uses the KiM percentage within the correct definition and avoids an unsupported fixed weekly amount. The consequences for groups are described as context, not as measured effects.
- confirmed Fuel costs per kilometre were around 5.1 per cent higher in week 44 than at the start of February 2026. — This is stated in the KiM update. source
- confirmed The figure concerns an average mid-sized passenger car. — The KiM publication uses this reference. source
- confirmed The figure does not include all car-ownership costs. — The KiM publication concerns fuel consumption and price changes; other costs are not included in the quoted percentage. source
Editor's note
The KiM figure concerns fuel costs per kilometre, not the total cost of owning a car. The weekly amount varies by driver and cannot be derived from the percentage alone.Sources
- Brandstofconsumptie voor mobiliteit – de gevolgen van prijsveranderingen — Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid
- Impact van hoge fossiele brandstofprijzen op de betaalbaarheid van autorijden — TNO
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „autorijden brandstof”
- FD — „autorijden brandstof”
- AD — „autorijden brandstof”