BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, European Union road transport costs experienced a significant uptick, primarily driven by higher petrol and diesel prices, resulting in an estimated €53 billion increase. According to Transport & Environment, this rise was calculated over 28 weeks ending on September 6, with figures compared to the same period in 2025 and adjusted for inflation. Diesel contributed approximately €40 billion of the additional costs, making it the main driver of this surge.
During this timeframe, the analysis indicated that daily road fuel expenses in the EU rose by about €270 million. Of this, diesel accounted for roughly €203 million per day, while petrol contributed approximately €67 million. The report attributed the price increase to supply constraints during the Middle East conflict and outages at Russian refineries. These disruptions caused refined fuel prices to climb relative to crude oil, with diesel experiencing some of the most notable pressure.
The European Commission has also observed notable fluctuations in oil and refined product markets throughout 2026. Its Oil Coordination Group reported on September 8 that the EU currently faces no immediate shortages in oil supplies. The group noted that increased refinery output within the bloc, along with alternative international sources, has continued to meet demand. Additionally, both commercial inventories and emergency reserves are sufficient. The Commission highlighted that markets for diesel and jet fuel experienced particularly high price volatility during this period.
Impacts of rising diesel costs on motorists and freight operators
The escalation in fuel prices affected both private individuals and commercial logistics providers. Transport & Environment estimated that an average EU diesel car driver paid about €142 more over the study period. By September 14, refueling a 50-litre diesel tank cost approximately €30 more than before the conflict baseline used in the analysis. Long-haul trucks in Germany faced an average weekly additional fuel expense of around €236.
Heavy reliance on diesel persists in European road freight. The report cited roughly 6.2 million trucks operating across the continent, with road transport making up 77% of EU diesel and gasoil consumption in 2024. According to Eurostat data, gas and diesel oil supplied 63.2% of the energy used for road transport that year. Motor gasoline accounted for 26.9%, while renewables and biofuels made up 6.2%. Electricity represented a mere 0.7%.
EU updates reflect broader fuel-price trends
The European Commission issued a revised Weekly Oil Bulletin on September 24, which includes recent consumer fuel prices reported by EU member states. This bulletin tracks weekly petroleum prices before and after taxes, with a historical series dating back to 2005. The update aligns with the September 6 cutoff used in the €53 billion estimate. The Commission continues to monitor oil supply levels, refinery outputs, inventories, and price movements across member countries.
The €53 billion figure remains an estimate from the environmental organization rather than an official EU figure. It reflects additional road fuel expenditure during the 28-week period analyzed in 2026. Diesel accounted for the majority of this increase, given its extensive role in passenger and freight transportation. The data illustrate how fluctuations in refined-fuel markets translated into higher costs for drivers and transport companies within the EU during the period examined.