BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The EU experienced a significant rise in road transport costs in 2026, with an estimated increase of €53 billion driven by higher petrol and diesel prices. Transport & Environment calculated this rise across the 28 weeks ending on September 6, comparing expenditure to the same period in 2025 and adjusting for inflation. Diesel contributed approximately €40 billion of this additional expense, making it the primary factor behind the overall increase.
During this timeframe, the analysis indicated that the rising fuel prices resulted in roughly €270 million being spent daily by the EU. Of this, about €203 million was attributable to diesel, with petrol accounting for around €67 million. The report attributed the increase to constrained refined-fuel supplies caused by the Middle East conflict and outages at Russian refineries. These disruptions caused the prices of refined fuels to rise relative to crude oil, with diesel experiencing some of the most notable upward pressure.
The European Commission has also observed notable fluctuations in oil and refined product markets throughout 2026. Its Oil Coordination Group stated on September 8 that the EU did not face an immediate shortage of oil supplies. The group noted that increased refinery output within the bloc and alternative international sources have continued to meet demand. Additionally, the EU’s commercial inventories and emergency reserves remain at sufficient levels. The Commission highlighted that diesel and jet fuel markets, in particular, experienced heightened price volatility during this period.
Cost increases impact both consumers and freight operators
The escalation in fuel prices affected everyday drivers and commercial transportation alike. Transport & Environment estimated that the typical EU diesel car driver paid approximately €142 more during the analyzed period. By September 14, filling a 50-litre diesel tank cost about €30 more than it did before the conflict baseline used in the analysis. Long-haul trucks in Germany faced an average weekly fuel cost increase of around €236.
The vulnerability of road freight to diesel prices remains significant across Europe. The report cited roughly 6.2 million trucks operating within European borders, with road transport accounting for 77% of the EU’s diesel and gasoil consumption in 2024. Eurostat data indicate that gas and diesel oil supplied 63.2% of the energy used for road transport that year. Motor gasoline contributed 26.9%, while renewables and biofuels made up 6.2%. Electricity accounted for just 0.7%.
Recent EU data broaden the fuel price landscape
On September 24, the European Commission released its latest Weekly Oil Bulletin, which included new consumer fuel prices reported by EU nations. The bulletin monitors weekly petrol prices before and after taxes, with a historical dataset extending back to 2005. This update followed the September 6 cutoff date used in the €53 billion estimate. The Commission continues to keep track of oil supply conditions, refinery production, inventories, and price trends across member states.
The €53 billion figure remains an approximation from the environmental group, not an official EU statistic. It represents the additional road fuel expenditure during the 28-week period in 2026. Diesel made up the majority of this increase, reflecting its key role in passenger and freight transport. The data illustrate how fluctuations in refined-fuel markets translated into higher costs for drivers and logistics operators across the European Union during this period of analysis.