Drivers of goods energy consumption variation

  • The energy consumption for freight was in 2022 almost at the same level as in 2019 at EU level. This stability is explained by the fact that several factors have contributed to increase consumption, i.e. increase in traffic in ton-km, modal shift to road transport and other effects (by respectively 3 Mtoe, 1 Mtoe and 3 Mtoe), were largely counterbalanced by energy savings (6 Mtoe).

Decomposition of energy consumption for freight (EU) (2019-2022)


  • Previously, the energy consumption of freight transport increased by 11 Mtoe between 2000 and 2019. This is the result of two opposite trends: the increase in traffic and, to a lesser extent, modal shift to road transport have contributed to raise consumption (by 23 and 4 Mtoe, respectively), while energy savings have decreased consumption by 17 Mtoe. 

Decomposition of energy consumption for freight (EU) (2000-2019)