BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, the costs associated with road transport within the European Union saw an estimated rise of €53 billion, driven by higher petrol and diesel prices. Transport & Environment calculated this increase over the 28 weeks ending September 6, comparing expenditure with the same period in 2025 and adjusting for inflation. Diesel contributed approximately €40 billion of this additional expense, making it the primary driver of the overall increase.
The analysis indicated that the higher fuel prices led to a daily cost of about €270 million for the EU during this timeframe. Diesel accounted for roughly €203 million of that amount, while petrol made up about €67 million. The report attributed this surge to tighter refined-fuel supplies caused by conflicts in the Middle East and outages at Russian refineries. These disruptions increased the price of refined fuels relative to crude oil, with diesel experiencing some of the most significant pressure.
Additionally, the European Commission has observed notable fluctuations in oil and refined-product markets throughout 2026. According to its Oil Coordination Group on September 8, the EU was not facing an immediate shortage of oil supplies. Increased refinery output within the bloc coupled with alternative international sources continued to meet demand. The group also confirmed that commercial inventories and emergency reserves remained sufficient. Price volatility was particularly high in the markets for diesel and jet fuel, the Commission noted.
Impact of Diesel Price Hikes on Drivers and Freight Operators
Both individual motorists and commercial transportation companies felt the impact of the rising fuel costs. Transport & Environment estimated that the average diesel driver in the EU paid around €142 more during the period studied. By September 14, refueling a 50-litre diesel tank cost approximately €30 more than before the conflict baseline used in this analysis. Meanwhile, German long-distance trucks faced an average additional weekly fuel expense of about €236.
Road freight remains particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in diesel prices across Europe. The report highlighted roughly 6.2 million trucks operating on European roads. In 2024, road transport accounted for 77% of EU diesel and gasoil consumption. Data from Eurostat show that in the same year, gas and diesel oil supplied 63.2% of the energy used for road transport, with motor gasoline contributing 26.9%. Renewables and biofuels made up 6.2%, while electricity represented 0.7% of the sector’s energy sources.
Recent EU Data Expand the Fuel-Price Context
On September 24, the European Commission released its latest Weekly Oil Bulletin, which includes updated consumer fuel prices reported by EU member states. This bulletin monitors weekly petroleum prices before and after taxes and features a historical series dating back to 2005. The latest update aligns with the September 6 cutoff date used to estimate the €53 billion increase. The Commission continues to assess oil supply levels, refinery output, inventories, and price developments across the bloc.
It is important to note that the €53 billion figure remains an estimate from the environmental organization, not an official EU figure. It reflects additional road fuel expenditures during the 28-week period in 2026. Diesel accounted for most of this increase, given its significant role in passenger and freight transport. These figures demonstrate how changes in refined-fuel markets translated into higher costs for drivers and logistics providers within the EU during the analyzed period.