New analysis from Astutus Research shows that light Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKMT) in Europe accelerated in the second quarter of 2025, rising by 1.8% year-on-year, compared with just 0.8% in Q1. The findings are published in the VKMT in Europe 2025 Q2 report.
Growth was led by Central Europe, where VKMT is now 8.5% above 2019 levels, supported by both car and light commercial vehicle (LCV) travel. In contrast, Western Europe car mileage remains below pre-pandemic benchmarks, with full recovery not expected until 2026.
“The latest data suggest steady growth in mobility through 2025, but uncertainty remains.” said Simon Hodson, Research Director at Astutus Research. “Shifts in working patterns, the rise of public transport, and potential tariff pressures will all shape the trajectory of vehicle travel over the next 12 months.”
Report Availability
The VKMT in Europe 2025 Q2 report includes an interactive Power BI dashboard, a downloadable Excel dataset, and a PDF analysis covering VKMT growth, regional differences, updated economic forecasts, and emerging trends in rail transport.
About Astutus Research
Astutus Research is a specialist provider of data, insight and forecasts for the tire industry and the broader aftersales segment. We cover the complete tire lifecycle: from production and distribution to usage, disposal and recycling. Our mission is to help clients make smarter decisions with exclusive research covering customers, competitors, and market dynamics.
