BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, increased costs for petrol and diesel have contributed an estimated €53 billion to European Union road transport expenditures. Transport & Environment conducted a calculation of this rise over the 28-week period ending September 6, comparing the spending with the same timeframe in 2025 and adjusting the data for inflation. Diesel alone was responsible for approximately €40 billion of this added expense, making it the primary contributor to the overall increase.
According to the analysis, the escalation in road fuel prices resulted in an average daily cost of about €270 million for the EU during this period. Of this total, diesel accounted for roughly €203 million each day, while petrol contributed around €67 million. The report attributes this rise to supply constraints in refined fuels caused by 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 strongest upward pressure.
The European Commission also observed significant fluctuations in oil and refined-product markets throughout 2026. On September 8, its Oil Coordination Group stated that the EU currently faces no immediate shortage in oil supply. The group noted that increased refinery output within the bloc alongside alternative international supplies have continued to meet demand, with commercial inventories and emergency reserves remaining at adequate levels. Notably, diesel and jet fuel markets experienced particularly high volatility in pricing during this period.
Rising diesel prices impact both drivers and freight operators
The cost increase affected not only private car owners but also commercial transportation firms. Transport & Environment estimated that the average diesel vehicle owner in the EU paid roughly €142 more during the analyzed period. By September 14, filling a 50-litre diesel tank cost approximately €30 more than the baseline before the conflict, according to the report. Additionally, German long-haul truck drivers faced an average weekly fuel expense increase of around €236.
Road freight logistics in Europe remain highly vulnerable to fluctuations in diesel prices. The report referenced approximately 6.2 million trucks operating on European roads, with road transport accounting for 77% of EU diesel and gasoil consumption in 2024. Eurostat data indicate that gas and diesel oil supplied 63.2% of the energy used in road transport that year, followed by motor gasoline at 26.9%, with renewables and biofuels making up 6.2%, and electricity representing 0.7%.
EU’s latest fuel price data extend the overall picture
On September 24, the European Commission issued an update to its Weekly Oil Bulletin, which contains new consumer fuel prices reported by EU member states. This bulletin tracks weekly petroleum prices before and after taxes and provides a historical series dating back to 2005. The update follows the September 6 cutoff date used in the €53 billion estimate. The Commission continues to monitor key factors such as oil supply conditions, refinery output, inventories, and price movements across member countries.
The €53 billion figure remains an estimate from the environmental organization, not an official EU figure. It measures the additional road fuel expenditure during the 28-week period analyzed in 2026. Since diesel accounts for most of the increase, it reflects its significant role in passenger and freight transportation. These figures illustrate how shifts in refined-fuel markets led to increased costs for drivers and logistics operators across the EU during the period examined.