Europe uses a much higher percentage of diesel than gasoline in general for transportation.
It is also cheaper.
At least it was in Italy a year ago.
About .10EU/liter less.
Which is STILL expensive. Diesel was about 1.65EU/liter.
Almost every vehicle we rode in was a diesel. Two were Mercedes mini vans with standard shift transmissions.
Only in Rome did a lot of the taxis use gasoline. They were almost all Toyota Hybrids.
FYI, the average Italian rides a Vespa scooter to work. A lot of that has to do with trying to PARK in cities that were not designed for cars/trucks. The other reason is the cost of FUEL. Upper middle class people have a FIAT. Only really rich people drive BMWs, Mercedes and Audis.
I saw ONE Ferrari in Rome. A model and her rich husband/boyfriend were getting into it just down the street from the Spanish Steps.
I don’t recollect seeing a Vespa on my trip to northern Italy.
Turin tended to have very small cars. They were parked amazingly close together.
Milan had larger vehicles.
Genoa was quite a mix, with lots of motorcycles. Near the waterfront they were parked close together.
I took trains between cities. The fares were low and the trains ran pretty fast and were on time.