BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, the costs for road transportation within the European Union increased by an estimated €53 billion due to higher petrol and diesel prices. Transport & Environment calculated this rise over the 28-week period ending September 6, comparing expenses with the same timeframe in 2025 and adjusting for inflation. The majority of this increase, approximately €40 billion, was attributed to diesel, making it the primary contributor to the overall rise.
This analysis suggests that during this period, the elevated fuel prices resulted in a daily cost of about €270 million for the EU. Of this, diesel was responsible for roughly €203 million daily, while petrol accounted for around €67 million. The report attributes this surge to constrained refined-fuel supplies amid the Middle East conflict and outages at Russian refineries. These disruptions caused refined fuel prices to rise relative to crude oil, with diesel experiencing some of the most significant upward pressure.
European Commission also observed marked fluctuations in oil and refined-product markets throughout 2026. On September 8, its Oil Coordination Group stated that the EU was not facing an immediate oil supply shortage. They noted that increased refinery output within the bloc and alternative international sources continued to satisfy demand, with commercial inventories and emergency reserves remaining sufficient. The group highlighted that diesel and jet fuel markets had experienced particularly high price volatility.
Cost Impacts on Drivers and Freight Operators
Both private motorists and commercial transport services felt the price hike. Transport & Environment estimated that the average diesel car owner in the EU paid about €142 more during this period. By September 14, refueling a 50-litre diesel tank cost roughly €30 more than before the baseline used in the analysis. Long-haul trucks in Germany faced an average weekly additional fuel expense of around €236.
The vulnerability of road freight to diesel price fluctuations remains significant across Europe. The report referenced approximately 6.2 million trucks operating on European roads, with road transport responsible for 77% of the EU’s diesel and gasoil consumption in 2024. According to Eurostat data, gas and diesel oil supplied 63.2% of the energy used in road transport that year, with motor gasoline at 26.9%, renewables and biofuels at 6.2%, and electricity accounting for 0.7%.
EU Fuel-Price Data and Market Trends
The European Commission published an update to its Weekly Oil Bulletin on September 24, providing new 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. It was issued following the September 6 cutoff date used in the €53 billion estimate. The Commission continues to monitor oil supply conditions, refinery output, inventories, and price fluctuations across member countries.
The €53 billion figure is an estimate by the environmental organization and not an official EU figure. It reflects additional expenses for road fuel during the 28-week comparison period in 2026. Diesel made up most of the estimated increase, owing to its extensive role in passenger and freight transportation. These figures illustrate how movements in refined-fuel markets translated into higher costs for drivers and transport operators across the EU during this timeframe.