New passenger cars now weigh over 1,550 kilograms on average. This is an increase of 300 kilograms since 2016. The explanation must be found in electric cars.
New cars are getting heavier. The average weight of a new passenger car has increased significantly. It now stands at 1,554 kilograms.
That's a weight increase of over 300 kilograms compared to 2016.
At that time, the average new car weighed 1,224 kilograms. The increase corresponds to 26.9 percent in eight years, according to new figures.
The figures come from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) . They have analyzed the development in the weight of cars over recent years.
A major reason for the increased weight is the electrification of automakers' model programs. Battery packs in electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars weigh a lot.
Batteries add many kilograms to the total weight of cars. This is a consequence of the technological development that has moved in the direction of electrification in recent years.
Batteries and safety increase the weight of cars
Safety equipment also plays a role in the higher weight. Modern cars contain more advanced safety technology than before.
Things like more airbags, various sensors, and reinforced body structures also contribute to the higher weight.
In addition to weight, cars have also grown in size. They have become physically larger over the past eight years.
On average, new passenger cars have become over 20 centimeters longer. They have also become approximately 6 centimeters wider than the cars were in 2016.
There is also a clear difference between privately owned cars and company cars. Company cars are generally heavier than private cars.
Larger dimensions on new cars
At the beginning of 2024, company cars were on average around 300 kilograms heavier than private cars. This is primarily due to differences in the average age of the car fleet.
Company cars are often newer models with the latest technology. The private car fleet consists on average of older and often lighter cars.
CBS also reports on driving patterns related to weight. The heaviest cars typically drive the most kilometers per year.
This is not surprising. The newest and heaviest cars are often company cars. They are frequently used for both work and private travel.
They are typically used more intensively than older, privately owned cars, which is why they are on the road more often and cover longer distances.
The increasing weight affects several aspects of traffic, including driving dynamics, energy consumption and potential road wear.
The trend towards heavier cars seems to continue, especially as more electric and hybrid cars enter the market.
The significant increase in weight in new cars is a clear trend in the automotive industry. It is driven by both technological advances and increased safety requirements.
But weight is something that the automotive industry rarely talks about. It's something that drivers don't – or only rarely – know about. Read more about it here .
