DAC uses gasoline consumption as one of several indicators to assess vehicle usage and aftermarket demand. In Q1 2025, gasoline consumption declined by 3.5% compared to Q1 2024, though it remained higher than pre-pandemic levels and those of 2020–2022.

This dip is attributed to the growing presence of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the fleet and rising fuel efficiency among internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Despite a decline in ZEV sales in early 2025, their share of the fleet continued to grow.

Andrew King, Managing Partner at DAC, noted that the slight drop in fuel use aligns with a softening economy and emerging trade-related employment challenges, which are critical as 82% of Canadians commute by light vehicle.

Gasoline consumption data feeds into DAC’s broader forecasts for kilometres driven and aftermarket product demand across more than 25 categories.