BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, increased road fuel prices are projected to have contributed an estimated €53 billion to European Union transport expenses. On September 23, Transport & Environment released this estimate after analyzing the 28 weeks through September 6. The Brussels-based NGO compared fuel expenditure for this period with the same timeframe in the previous year and adjusted the figures for inflation. Diesel made up approximately €40 billion of the extra costs. The calculation covers both diesel and petrol expenditures associated with road transport.
T&E estimated that soaring fuel prices added an average of €270 million daily to the EU’s road transport costs, with about €203 million of that attributed to diesel and roughly €67 million to petrol. The group linked this increase to tighter refined-fuel supplies caused by the Middle East conflict and refinery outages in Russia. These pressures widened the price gap between crude oil and refined products, especially diesel. Diesel and gasoil together account for around 43% of petroleum products used in the EU by volume.
The European Commission has also reported notable fluctuations in crude oil and refined-product markets, particularly for diesel and jet fuel. Its Oil Coordination Group stated on September 8 that the EU does not face an immediate oil supply crisis, as increased refinery output and alternative global sources continue to meet demand. Stockpiles of commercial and emergency oil remain ample. Nonetheless, geopolitical uncertainty persists as a key factor driving pronounced price volatility across global oil and petroleum markets.
Diesel prices impact drivers and freight companies
For individual drivers, T&E estimated that the average EU diesel car owner spent approximately €142 more during the analyzed period. By September 14, the organization calculated a €30 premium on a 50-litre diesel fill-up compared to pre-conflict levels. German long-haul truck operators faced weekly additional fuel costs averaging about €236. The analysis states that Europe has roughly 6.2 million trucks on its roads. Increased diesel prices have also affected freight operators and other commercial fuel consumers.
Diesel remains essential to EU transport and freight activities. T&E noted that in 2024, road transport accounted for 77% of the bloc’s diesel and gasoil consumption. According to Eurostat data, gas and diesel oils supplied 63.2% of road transport energy that year, while motor gasoline made up 26.9%. Renewables and biofuels contributed 6.2%, and electricity just 0.7%. Diesel and gasoline alone provided 90.1% of the energy used in road transport in 2024.
Recent EU data highlight ongoing fuel price concerns
The European Commission updated its Weekly Oil Bulletin on September 24, featuring the latest consumer petroleum prices from EU nations. This report tracks weekly price variations with and without taxes and maintains a historical series going back to 2005. The update followed the end of the T&E study period on September 6. The Commission gathers national price data and provides regular comparisons across member states. Its September 8 supply assessment also identified diesel and jet fuel among the products experiencing significant price fluctuations.
The €53 billion estimate by T&E remains an approximation from the environmental organization rather than an official EU figure. It calculates the additional road fuel expenditure over the 28-week period in 2026, also detailing impacts on passenger vehicles and commercial transport, with diesel being the primary contributor to the projected increase. T&E has called for measures to curb diesel demand and promote vehicle electrification. Meanwhile, official EU data continues to monitor fuel prices, supply conditions, and petroleum consumption across the bloc.