Autoliitto highlights rising costs and necessity of cars in Finland

As Finland celebrates Car Day on September 5, the Automobile Association (Autoliitto) is highlighting the essential role of private vehicles in a country characterized by long distances and sparse population. Road traffic accounts for over 90 percent of passenger transport, with private cars alone making up 77 percent.

Autoliitto warns of increasing cost pressures on motorists. Beyond standard taxes, fuel prices are being impacted by stricter distribution obligations and the EU's ETS2 emissions trading system. Additionally, the average price of new passenger cars has risen from approximately 32,000 euros to 50,000 euros over the last decade, while used imports have increased from 10,000 to over 30,000 euros.

To address these shifts, a study is underway regarding the reform of transport taxation and financing to secure tax revenue during the transition to electrification. The association emphasizes that rising costs threaten household purchasing power and accessibility to services.

In Mikkeli, the local branch of Autoliitto is hosting a national Car Day event at Biltema. This year's theme, ‘Traffic is Teamwork,’ focuses on the collective responsibility required for safe and smooth transport, even as the organization continues to advocate for the necessity of private cars in rural areas.