BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – An increase in road fuel prices is projected to add approximately €53 billion to European Union transportation expenses in 2026. This estimate was published by Transport & Environment on September 23 after analyzing a 28-week period ending on September 6. The Brussels-based organization compared fuel expenditure during this timeframe with the same period in the previous year, adjusting the figures for inflation. Diesel contributed roughly €40 billion of this additional cost. The calculation encompasses spending on diesel and petrol associated with road transport.
According to T&E, higher fuel prices resulted in an average daily increase of €270 million in EU road transport costs. Of this, diesel accounted for about €203 million per day, while petrol was responsible for roughly €67 million. The organization linked this rise to constrained refined-fuel supplies amid the Middle East conflict and outages at Russian refineries. These supply pressures widened the disparity between crude oil prices and refined products, especially diesel. Diesel and gasoil represent approximately 43% of petroleum products used in the EU by volume.
The European Commission has separately reported significant fluctuations in crude oil and refined-product markets, particularly for diesel and jet fuel. On September 8, its Oil Coordination Group stated that the EU does not face an immediate oil supply shortage. They noted that increased refinery output within the EU and alternative global sources continue to satisfy demand. Additionally, stockpiles of emergency and commercial oil remain adequate. The Commission attributed ongoing price volatility across global oil and petroleum markets to geopolitical uncertainty.
Impact of Diesel Prices on Drivers and Freight Companies
For drivers, T&E estimated that the average EU diesel car owner spent approximately €142 more during the period of analysis. As of September 14, the group determined there was a €30 premium on a 50-litre diesel fill-up compared with pre-conflict levels. Long-haul trucks in Germany experienced an average weekly increase of about €236 in fuel costs. Europe’s roads host roughly 6.2 million trucks, based on the analysis. Elevated diesel prices have also impacted freight operators and other commercial fuel consumers.
Diesel continues to play a vital role in the EU’s transport and freight sectors. According to T&E, 77% of the bloc’s diesel and gasoil consumption in 2024 was attributable to road transport. Data from Eurostat reveal that in 2024, gas and diesel oil supplied 63.2% of the energy used in road transport. Motor gasoline accounted for 26.9%, with renewables and biofuels providing 6.2%. Electricity contributed only 0.7%, while diesel and gasoline together supplied 90.1% of the energy for road transport in that year.
Recent EU Data Highlights Fuel Price Fluctuations
On September 24, the European Commission released an update to its Weekly Oil Bulletin, which contains current petroleum prices for EU member states. This bulletin tracks weekly prices with and without taxes and maintains a historical record dating back to 2005. The update followed the end of the T&E study period on September 6. The Commission gathers national price data and regularly compares figures across countries. Its September 8 supply assessment identified diesel and jet fuel among products experiencing notable price volatility.
The €53 billion figure presented by T&E is an estimate based on the environmental organization’s analysis, not an official EU calculation. It reflects additional road fuel spending over the 28-week comparison period in 2026. The report also discusses impacts on passenger vehicles and commercial transport, noting that diesel accounts for most of the projected increase. T&E advocates measures to decrease diesel demand and promote vehicle electrification. Meanwhile, official EU data continue to monitor fuel prices, supply conditions, and petroleum consumption across the union.