Fuel price changes continue to affect Europe’s transport and logistics sector in 2026. Developments in energy markets, supply routes and fuel availability have contributed to fluctuations in prices across the region.
According to Eurostat, prices for fuels and lubricants for personal transport in the EU rose by 12.9% in March 2026 compared with March 2025. Between February and March, diesel prices increased by 19.1%, while petrol prices rose by 10.6%.
Prices continued to change in the following months: in April and May, prices continued to rise at an accelerated pace year-over-year. After a brief stabilization in June, inflationary pressure returned in July. August saw a new round of price increases: diesel prices rose by 8.3% and petrol prices by 3.3% compared with July.
According to an analysis based on European Commission data, by 22 October 2026, average diesel prices across the EU had increased by more than 30%, while Euro 95 petrol prices had risen by more than 19%, compared with early March.
Changes in fuel prices vary across European markets. In Poland, government measures have sought to limit their impact on households and businesses.
Fuel prices in Poland
Across Europe, governments have introduced or considered measures such as fuel tax reductions, subsidies and regulatory adjustments to address rising energy costs.
In Poland, the Ceny Paliwa Niżej (CPN) programme includes reduced VAT and excise duties on selected fuels, as well as maximum retail prices for petrol and diesel. The current measures are scheduled to remain in place until 31 December 2026.
According to Fuel-Prices.eu, which uses European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin data, Poland had the second-lowest national average prices among the 27 EU countries for both Euro 95 petrol and diesel in the week of 19 October 2026. Prices at individual fuel stations may differ from national averages.
What lies ahead for fuel prices?
The outlook for energy markets remains subject to change. Oil supplies, transportation costs and other market factors will continue to influence fuel prices.
In its October outlook, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecast that Brent crude oil would average $105 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026. The EIA expects oil prices to ease over time as supply recovers, while noting that further price changes are possible.
Retail fuel prices are also influenced by refining, distribution costs and taxation. For transport companies, monitoring these developments is an important part of planning.
What fuel price changes mean for carriers
Fuel is a significant operating expense for transport companies. Changes in its price can affect margins, cash flow and financial planning.
Carriers may respond by reviewing routes, reducing empty mileage, improving fuel efficiency and discussing contract terms with customers. The options available depend on each company’s operations and commercial arrangements.
Payment terms are another factor to consider. When terms extend to 60 or 90 days, carriers need to cover fuel purchases and other operating expenses while waiting for customers to settle their invoices. If fuel prices rise, the working capital required to keep vehicles moving may increase as well.
Some businesses use factoring to access funds before invoices fall due. While factoring can support liquidity, commissions and other charges may affect margins.
Fuel cost management therefore also involves balancing operating expenses with incoming payments and maintaining access to resources for day-to-day operations.
AsstrA Fuel Cards: Supporting carriers’ operational needs
AsstrA Fuel Cards offer transport partners an additional tool for managing fuel purchases and working capital under agreed programme terms.
Participating carriers can be assigned a fuel spending limit equivalent to 80% of the value of their transport orders with AsstrA, subject to agreed programme terms. Limits are reviewed every two weeks based on transport activity.
Depending on the applicable arrangements, the programme offers:
Access to fuel within an agreed limit. Carriers can refuel using the available limit while managing other operating expenses. Support for cash flow planning. Fuel costs can be offset against freight payments, helping carriers manage payment cycles. An additional option alongside other financing solutions. Depending on individual circumstances, fuel card arrangements may help reduce reliance on factoring and associated costs. Simpler administration. Cashless payments and centralised expense tracking can support fleet expense management. Operational flexibility. Access to fuel under agreed arrangements can help carriers plan refuelling during transport operations, including around loading and dispatch.
Reliable transport partnerships depend on practical support for everyday operations. AsstrA’s fuel card programme is designed to help partners manage fuel expenses and plan their resources.
For more information about AsstrA Fuel Cards, please contact fuel@asstra.com.
