BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, the cost of petrol and diesel for road transport in the European Union surged by an estimated €53 billion. Transport & Environment carried out the analysis covering 28 weeks ending September 6, comparing expenditures with the same period in 2025 and adjusting figures for inflation. Diesel contributed approximately €40 billion of this increase, making it the primary driver of the overall rise.
During this timeframe, it was estimated that elevated fuel prices resulted in an average daily expense of around €270 million for the EU. Out of this, diesel accounted for roughly €203 million daily, with petrol adding about €67 million. The report attributes the price escalation to disruptions in refined-fuel supplies caused by the Middle East conflict and outages at Russian refineries. These interruptions pushed refined fuel prices higher relative to crude oil, with diesel experiencing some of the most significant pressure.
The European Commission has also observed notable 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 shortage of oil supplies. The group highlighted that increased refinery capacity within the bloc, along with alternative international sources, continued to meet demand. Additionally, commercial inventories and emergency reserves remained at adequate levels. The Commission pointed out that diesel and jet fuel markets experienced particularly high volatility in prices.
Impacts of Rising Diesel Prices on Drivers and Freight
Since the beginning of the year, private motorists and freight operators have felt the effects of the fuel price increase. Transport & Environment estimated that, on average, EU diesel car drivers paid about €142 more during the period studied. As of September 14, filling a 50-litre diesel tank cost roughly €30 more than before the conflict baseline used in this analysis. Long-haul trucks in Germany faced an additional weekly fuel cost of approximately €236.
Across Europe, road freight remains highly vulnerable to fluctuations in diesel prices. The analysis referenced around 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 the energy used in road transport that year, with motor gasoline making up 26.9%, renewables and biofuels 6.2%, and electricity just 0.7%.
European Union’s Fuel Market Trends in 2026
On September 24, the European Commission issued its latest Weekly Oil Bulletin, which includes updated consumer fuel prices reported by EU nations. This bulletin tracks weekly petroleum prices before and after taxes, maintaining a historical record since 2005. The update follows the September 6 cutoff date used in the €53 billion calculation. The Commission continues to monitor key factors such as oil supply, refinery output, inventories, and price movements across member states.
The €53 billion figure remains an estimate from the environmental group and is not an official EU figure. It reflects additional road fuel spending during the 28-week period in 2026. With diesel making up most of this increase, the data underscores how shifts in refined-fuel markets translated into higher costs for drivers and freight operators across the bloc during the analyzed timeframe.