BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, escalating petrol and diesel prices have contributed an estimated €53 billion to European Union road transport expenditures. Transport & Environment calculated this increase over the 28 weeks ending September 6, comparing the spending with the same period in 2025 and adjusting figures for inflation. Diesel was responsible for approximately €40 billion of this additional cost, making it the primary driver of the rise.
During that period, the analysis projected that elevated road fuel prices resulted in an average daily expense of about €270 million for the EU. Diesel contributed roughly €203 million of this daily total, while petrol added around €67 million. The report attributes the surge to constrained refined-fuel supplies stemming from the Middle East conflict and outages at Russian refineries. These disruptions increased the cost of refined fuels relative to crude oil, with diesel experiencing some of the most significant price pressures.
The European Commission has also observed sharp 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. The group noted that increased refinery output within the bloc, combined with alternative international sources, has continued to meet demand. Additionally, commercial inventories and emergency reserves remain sufficiently stocked. The Commission pointed out that diesel and jet fuel markets have experienced particularly high price volatility.
Motorists and freight sectors bear the brunt of diesel price hikes
Both private drivers and commercial transport companies felt the impact of the price increases. Transport & Environment estimated that the typical EU diesel car owner paid roughly €142 more during the study period. As of September 14, filling a 50-litre diesel tank cost about €30 more than prior to the conflict baseline used in the analysis. Long-haul trucks in Germany faced an average additional fuel expense of approximately €236 weekly.
Across Europe, road freight remains highly vulnerable to fluctuations in diesel prices. The analysis cited roughly 6.2 million trucks operating on European roads. In 2024, road transport accounted for 77% of EU diesel and gasoil consumption. According to Eurostat data, gas and diesel oil supplied 63.2% of the energy used in road transport that year. Motor gasoline contributed 26.9%, while renewables and biofuels made up 6.2%. Electricity accounted for just 0.7%.
EU’s latest fuel-price data extend the current market outlook
On September 24, the European Commission updated its Weekly Oil Bulletin with new fuel prices reported by EU nations. This bulletin monitors weekly petroleum prices before and after taxes, providing a historical series dating back to 2005. This update reflects data following the September 6 cutoff used in the €53 billion estimate. The Commission also continues to track oil supply conditions, refinery output, inventories, and price trends across member states.
The €53 billion figure remains an estimate from the environmental organization, not an official EU figure. It gauges extra road fuel expenditure during the 28-week period in 2026. Diesel accounts for most of this increase, due to its significant role in passenger and freight transport. The data illustrates how shifts in refined-fuel markets directly translated into higher costs for drivers and freight operators throughout the bloc during the period analyzed.