Top Countrues by Fossil Fuel consumption in 2023:

Estonian Fuel Market Analysis: Key Findings & Recommendations

 A Competition Authority analysis found Estonia’s fuel market largely functional but in need of greater transparency and oversight to ensure fair pricing. The wholesale market is duopolistic, while the retail market is oligopolistic, with unclear collective dominance.

 Key Insights:

 • Estonia’s small, concentrated market faces high entry barriers.

 • The country has a dense petrol station network, with highest consumption in Harju and Tartu counties. 

• Fuel pricing follows global trends but adjusts slowly to changes (“rockets and feathers” effect). • Vertical integration means competitors in retail may also collaborate in wholesale/storage. 

• The biofuel compliance system is fragmented, lacking a central coordinating body.

Recommendations:

 • Improve real-time price transparency, possibly via an independent price portal. 

• Designate a national monitoring body to oversee the fuel market.

 • Strengthen market surveillance to prevent price abuses and ensure fair competition.

 The study (2019–2022) examined sales volumes, pricing, loyalty programs, and biofuel compliance. The Authority, responsible for overseeing competition and key utilities, aims to protect consumers and promote fair market practices.

source: konkurentsiamet.ee

Market Profile and Fuel Consumption Trends

In 2019, 11 million light-duty vehicles (LDVs) were sold in the EU, with an average fuel consumption of 6.0 Lge/100 km, down from 7.0 Lge/100 km in 2005—a 1% annual reduction. The 2020 market saw a sharp 11% drop in CO2 emissions due to stricter targets (95 g CO2/km for passenger cars, 147 g CO2/km for light commercial vehicles).

SUV sales grew from 7% in 2005 to 36% in 2019, increasing the average LDV weight from 1,327 kg to 1,440 kg. Diesel LDV sales declined from 56% in 2015 to 40% in 2019, while gasoline remained dominant. Hybrid, electric, and plug-in vehicles reached 3%, 2%, and 1% of sales, respectively.