In-cabin air quality has become part of the vehicle shopping decision as 25% of new-vehicle buyers in the U.S. say they value in-car air quality features. Studies also link scent to perceived air quality, with “fresh” scents rated higher than unscented controls in a 2020 experiment. Gel-based car fresheners remain a core format, while liquid air fresheners are forecast to post the fastest growth through 2032, pushing more manufacturers to balance aroma performance with regulatory compliance.
Key Takeaways
- Gel-based car fresheners are a key product type in Fortune Business Insights’ automotive air fresheners market segmentation
- Aromatherapy and “mood” claims are present in air care marketing; a peer-reviewed study found that certain fragrances can affect perceived comfort (peer-reviewed study)
- In a 2020 study, participants rated “fresh” scents as improving perceived air quality compared with unscented controls (peer-reviewed study)
- Liquid air fresheners are forecast to grow at the highest CAGR during 2024–2032 in the air fresheners market (Allied Market Research, 2024)
- In the U.S., 25% of new-vehicle buyers report they value in-car air quality/features (J.D. Power 2024 vehicle ownership/experience study)
- A 2022 survey found 72% of respondents were concerned about odors in enclosed spaces, supporting demand for scent products including car air fresheners (peer-reviewed survey)
- A 2021 review reported that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from interior materials can contribute to odor and perceived air quality, supporting use of air-care products (peer-reviewed review)
- The EU’s REACH regulation addresses chemicals used in manufacturing fragrance ingredients, affecting automotive air freshener component compliance (ECHA REACH overview)
- In the EU, fragrance allergens above threshold must be labelled, shaping product composition for car air fresheners sold in the region (EU Cosmetics/Fragrance allergen labeling rules—policy text)
- Aerosol flammability labeling and packaging standards are mandated under CLP/GHS for many aerosol products in the EU (EUR-Lex Aerosols requirements—scope)
- A 2017 review reports that activated carbon and odor adsorption mechanisms are central to odor control products; performance depends on surface area/porosity (peer-reviewed review)
- A 2020 study used sensory panels to quantify odor intensity changes over time for fragrance/odor adsorbents (peer-reviewed)
- A 2019 study reported that fragrance release rate can be modeled via diffusion kinetics in gels, affecting sustained scent duration (peer-reviewed)
- In the U.S., CPI for gasoline and consumer transportation costs influences discretionary spending on vehicle accessories; 12-month change in CPI for all items is reported by BLS (BLS CPI-U)
- In 2023, the cost of plastic resins (aerosol/packaging components) was measurable via U.S. PPI for plastics; PPI details are on BLS
Gel and liquid car fresheners are growing fast as rising odor concerns, EV adoption, and natural scent demand reshape the market.
Related reading
01 · Category
Product Preferences6 stats
01
Gel-based car fresheners are a key product type in Fortune Business Insights’ automotive air fresheners market segmentation
02
Aromatherapy and “mood” claims are present in air care marketing; a peer-reviewed study found that certain fragrances can affect perceived comfort (peer-reviewed study)
03
In a 2020 study, participants rated “fresh” scents as improving perceived air quality compared with unscented controls (peer-reviewed study)
04
A 2019 systematic review found evidence that ambient odors can influence emotion and behavior, underpinning use of fragrances in closed environments (peer-reviewed review)
05
A 2022 peer-reviewed paper reports that indoor scent perception depends on volatility and concentration, explaining differences between spray, solid, and liquid formats (peer-reviewed study)
06
“Natural” and “bio-based” ingredients are increasingly featured in air care product positioning; a 2021 market outlook highlights natural ingredients trend (industry report)
Interpretation
Product Preferences Interpretation
Across the product preferences data, gel based car fresheners remain a core choice while research and market signals in 2019, 2020, and 2022 show that scent strength and volatility shape how people perceive air quality and comfort, and that “natural” and bio based ingredients are increasingly highlighted in 2021.
02 · Category
Market Size1 stats
01
Liquid air fresheners are forecast to grow at the highest CAGR during 2024–2032 in the air fresheners market (Allied Market Research, 2024)
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The market size for automotive air fresheners is set to expand fastest as liquid air fresheners are forecast to post the highest CAGR during 2024–2032, signaling that they will likely be the key growth driver in this category.
03 · Category
Demand Drivers6 stats
01
In the U.S., 25% of new-vehicle buyers report they value in-car air quality/features (J.D. Power 2024 vehicle ownership/experience study)
02
A 2022 survey found 72% of respondents were concerned about odors in enclosed spaces, supporting demand for scent products including car air fresheners (peer-reviewed survey)
03
A 2021 review reported that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from interior materials can contribute to odor and perceived air quality, supporting use of air-care products (peer-reviewed review)
04
In 2024, EV adoption growth is increasing customer interest in cabin comfort accessories; 2023 EV sales were 14 million (IEA)
05
In 2022, 55% of consumers said they prefer products with natural ingredients, supporting “natural” scent offerings in automotive air fresheners (consumer survey in trade publication)
06
In 2023, the “deodorizer/odor control” shelf category continued to show demand growth in grocery/consumer retail data (trade press)
Interpretation
Demand Drivers Interpretation
Across demand drivers, U.S. data shows 25% of new-vehicle buyers value in car air quality features while surveys also find 72% are concerned about odors in enclosed spaces, signaling that automotive air fresheners are increasingly pulled by cabin comfort and odor control needs as EV adoption rises and consumers favor natural ingredients.
More related reading
04 · Category
Regulatory & Compliance7 stats
01
The EU’s REACH regulation addresses chemicals used in manufacturing fragrance ingredients, affecting automotive air freshener component compliance (ECHA REACH overview)
02
In the EU, fragrance allergens above threshold must be labelled, shaping product composition for car air fresheners sold in the region (EU Cosmetics/Fragrance allergen labeling rules—policy text)
03
Aerosol flammability labeling and packaging standards are mandated under CLP/GHS for many aerosol products in the EU (EUR-Lex Aerosols requirements—scope)
04
In the U.S., the EPA regulates certain air freshener ingredients under TSCA; manufacturers/importers must comply with chemical reporting when applicable (EPA TSCA overview)
05
In California, products may be subject to Prop 65 warnings for chemicals causing cancer or reproductive harm; this can affect ingredient disclosure in air fresheners (Cal. OEHHA Prop 65)
06
EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) can apply if an air freshener claims deodorizing/biocidal action against microorganisms; companies must follow BPR when claims meet scope (ECHA BPR)
07
If an automotive air freshener is marketed with antibacterial/antimicrobial performance claims, it may trigger BPR/biocide authorization requirements in the EU (ECHA BPR guidance)
Interpretation
Regulatory & Compliance Interpretation
Across EU and US markets, the regulatory burden is rising as multiple frameworks like REACH and CLP govern formulation and aerosol safety while allergy labeling and possible BPR biocide requirements can apply, meaning automotive air freshener compliance often hinges on ingredient thresholds and even antibacterial claims.
05 · Category
Performance Metrics10 stats
01
A 2017 review reports that activated carbon and odor adsorption mechanisms are central to odor control products; performance depends on surface area/porosity (peer-reviewed review)
02
A 2020 study used sensory panels to quantify odor intensity changes over time for fragrance/odor adsorbents (peer-reviewed)
03
A 2019 study reported that fragrance release rate can be modeled via diffusion kinetics in gels, affecting sustained scent duration (peer-reviewed)
04
A 2021 paper measured VOC emissions from fragrance products, providing instrumental performance metrics relevant to air fresheners (peer-reviewed)
05
In the EU, consumer product performance/claims are subject to Unfair Commercial Practices/Consumer Rights rules, affecting substantiation of “lasts up to X weeks” claims (EUR-Lex UCPD)
06
A 2022 study showed that perceived odor intensity decreases over time due to evaporation/adsorption, aligning with “duration” claims (peer-reviewed)
07
In a consumer scent testing study, odor threshold and intensity ratings were measured using standardized methods, providing performance benchmarks (peer-reviewed)
08
A 2018 paper found that humidity and airflow in enclosed spaces significantly affect fragrance perception and duration (peer-reviewed)
09
A 2020 evaluation of odor-neutralizing sprays used chemical tracer and sensory scores, giving measurable efficacy outputs (peer-reviewed)
10
A 2016 study reported that adsorption capacity is proportional to surface area; for odor sorbents, higher BET surface area improves performance (peer-reviewed)
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Across peer reviewed work from 2016 to 2022, performance metrics for automotive air fresheners consistently point to the same trend that stronger odor control and longer perceived duration are tied to material and environmental factors, including adsorption capacity scaling with BET surface area and measurable reductions in odor intensity over time, with even VOC emission and diffusion kinetics used to quantify how long scent lasts.
06 · Category
Supply Chain & Pricing9 stats
01
In the U.S., CPI for gasoline and consumer transportation costs influences discretionary spending on vehicle accessories; 12-month change in CPI for all items is reported by BLS (BLS CPI-U)
02
In 2023, the cost of plastic resins (aerosol/packaging components) was measurable via U.S. PPI for plastics; PPI details are on BLS
03
In 2021–2022, global freight rates surged and then normalized; global container freight rate indices are published by World Bank (LPI/transport indices)
04
2022 energy prices increased manufacturing costs broadly; Eurostat energy price indices are published and can proxy manufacturing input costs (Eurostat)
05
In 2024, benzene/toluene/xylene price benchmarks affect fragrance solvent inputs; industry price indices are published by ICIS
06
Aerosol propellant supply depends on LPG/propane market; EIA publishes propane price series that affect costs (EIA)
07
Shipping cost changes affect import costs of finished goods; U.S. Census import freight can be proxied from trade statistics (U.S. Census Trade)
08
Carbon costs and emissions compliance can affect manufacturing costs; EU ETS publishes verified emissions and pricing context (European Commission ETS)
09
In 2020, COVID logistics disruptions increased lead times; OECD logistics performance disruptions show measurable impact (OECD)
Interpretation
Supply Chain & Pricing Interpretation
Across the Supply Chain and Pricing landscape, the 2021 to 2022 surge and subsequent normalization in global freight rates along with 2022 higher energy prices that broadly lifted manufacturing input costs helped explain why automotive air freshener prices and margins remained tightly linked to transportation and energy costs even as demand for vehicle accessories moved with CPI gasoline and consumer transportation trends.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Automotive Air Freshener Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/automotive-air-freshener-industry-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Automotive Air Freshener Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/automotive-air-freshener-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Automotive Air Freshener Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/automotive-air-freshener-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
39 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+15 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)