Europe's road freight market grows modestly amid rising costs, consolidation, and AI advancements, according to Transport Intelligence's latest report.
Europe's road freight market is expanding modestly but is under pressure from consolidation, rising costs, and rapid AI adoption, according to Transport Intelligence's new 2026 report, reported by the UK's Transport Intelligence.
The study indicated that the sector grew to EUR440.4 billion (US$508 billion) in 2025 and is forecast to rise by 1.6 percent in 2026 to EUR447.6 billion, reaching EUR483.5 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by Central and Eastern European manufacturing, fleet decarbonisation, and regulatory costs, with Spain and Poland expanding at twice the pace of Germany, France, and Italy.
Demand signals are mixed. The automotive and manufacturing sectors are recovering, and e-commerce remains supportive; however, the EU's abolition of the de minimis customs exemption in July is reshaping parcel flows. Operators are facing higher fuel costs, tolls, labor shortages, and compliance costs, which are pushing freight rates up through contract agreements, even as spot rates soften.
Consolidation is reshaping competition. DSV's acquisition of DB Schenker has doubled its road freight operations, while CEVA Logistics has acquired Borusan Tedarik. Growth is increasingly occurring at rivals' expense, with scale and cost discipline becoming key differentiators.
AI adoption has moved beyond pilot programs, with 85 percent of use cases now live. Investment is focusing on route optimization, visibility, and workforce support tools. Autonomous trucking remains in the early stages, limited by regulatory barriers.
Ti Insight noted that operators are consolidating at a pace not seen in years, while AI is now embedded across the sector. At the same time, carriers are struggling to keep up with rising costs, making margin recovery dependent on passing expenses to shippers.
