Driving profitability: Fuel, tolling and cost trends in the EU

To stay operational, transport companies must continuously monitor their fleets' total cost of ownership (TCO). Fuel and tolls make up a significant part of the TCO, though their share varies widely by country. The 2025 edition of this report combines both fuel and tolling analysis to reflect their significant impact on operational costs.

Other industry actors such as shippers also monitor fuel prices and toll rates to understand and minimise their transport costs. Recently, fuel prices and toll rates have experienced substantial fluctuations due to geopolitical factors, fiscal and monetary policies, and the EU's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This briefing begins with an overview of road freight and passenger volumes, highlighting major EU road transport markets and identifying the most used fuels and vehicle powertrains. This initial context is essential. Road transport encompasses diverse vehicle types, fuels, and usage patterns. The overview helps narrow the focus on key trends shaping the industry, before examining fuel and toll specifics in detail.