BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – An increase in petrol and diesel prices has led to an estimated €53 billion rise in European Union road transport expenses in 2026. Transport & Environment calculated this surge over the 28 weeks ending September 6, comparing spending with the same period in 2025 and adjusting the figures for inflation. Diesel contributed approximately €40 billion of the additional costs, making it the primary driver of this escalation.
The analysis projected that elevated road fuel prices cost the EU around €270 million daily during that period, with diesel accounting for about €203 million of this amount and petrol adding roughly €67 million. The report attributed the rise to tighter refined-fuel supplies amid the Middle East conflict and outages at Russian refineries, which increased refined fuel prices relative to crude oil, with diesel experiencing some of the strongest upward pressure.
European Commission also observed significant fluctuations in oil and refined-product markets throughout 2026. Its Oil Coordination Group stated on September 8 that the EU currently faces no immediate oil supply shortages, thanks to increased refinery output within the bloc and continued international sources meeting demand. The group noted that commercial inventories and emergency reserves remain sufficient, but diesel and jet fuel markets have experienced particularly high price volatility.
Fuel Cost Increases Impact Drivers and Freight
Both private motorists and freight operators felt the impact of rising prices. Transport & Environment estimated that the average diesel car owner in the EU paid about €142 more during the study period, with filling a 50-litre tank costing roughly €30 more by September 14 compared to the baseline used in the analysis. Long-distance trucks in Germany faced an additional weekly fuel expense of about €236.
European road freight remains highly vulnerable to diesel prices. The analysis cited roughly 6.2 million trucks operating on European roads, while road transport accounted for 77% of EU diesel and gasoil consumption in 2024. According to Eurostat, gas and diesel oils supplied 63.2% of road transport energy that year, with motor gasoline at 26.9%, renewables and biofuels at 6.2%, and electricity making up 0.7%.
New Data Continues Fuel Price Trends
The European Commission released an update to its Weekly Oil Bulletin on September 24, featuring recent consumer fuel prices reported by EU nations. The bulletin monitors weekly petroleum prices before and after taxes, providing a historical series dating back to 2005. This update followed the September 6 cutoff date used in the €53 billion estimate, with ongoing monitoring of oil supply conditions, refinery output, inventories, and price fluctuations across member states.
The €53 billion figure remains an estimate from the environmental group and is not an official EU statistic. It reflects additional road fuel spending during the 28-week period in 2026, with diesel accounting for most of the increase due to its significant role in passenger and freight transportation. The data demonstrate how shifts in refined-fuel markets translated into higher costs for drivers and logistics operators throughout the bloc during this timeframe.