German transport associations are calling on the government, particularly Friedrich Merz, to take urgent steps against sharply rising operational costs in the sector.
Major industry groups representing freight forwarders, logistics companies, road haulage, buses, taxis, and related services have highlighted a cost crisis driven mainly by surging diesel prices which recently hit record highs above €2.50 per liter, energy and electricity taxes, personnel expenses, and overlapping CO charges including a double burden in road haulage from national and EU mechanisms.
The associations are pushing for: Lower energy and electricity taxes. Abolition of the double CO pricing in road transport. Short-term relief measures to improve liquidity and prevent insolvencies. Faster, low-bureaucracy government support to protect supply chains. They warn that without quick action, many companies—especially in road freight—face severe strain, potential bankruptcies, and disruptions to Germany’s logistics network, which is critical for the broader economy.
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This pressure comes amid wider economic challenges in Germany: Fuel costs have spiked due to global oil market tensions. Personnel costs in transport and logistics have risen noticeably around 4-5% year-on-year in recent periods. Public transport operators are also dealing with cost pressures, though those discussions often focus on funding for the Deutschlandticket and local ticket hikes rather than the freight-side crisis.
The timing aligns with political transitions, as the industry urges the new leadership to prioritize competitiveness and avoid passing higher costs onto consumers and businesses through price increases or reduced services.In short, the message from the sector is clear: rising input costs especially diesel and regulatory charges are becoming unsustainable, and they want targeted fiscal relief now to stabilize operations and safeguard jobs and supply chains.
This reflects ongoing tensions between climate policy goals and economic pressures on energy-intensive industries like transport. Many mid-sized freight forwarders, hauliers, and logistics firms are struggling with thin margins. Rising diesel prices, combined with CO? charges, energy taxes, personnel costs, and other burdens, have pushed some to the brink.
For a typical truck (10,000 km/month, 30 l/100 km), extra diesel costs alone can add ~€1,200 per month per vehicle. Fleets of 50 trucks face hundreds of thousands in annual hits. Fuel often represents 20–30%+ of total costs in road freight. Companies face pressure from European rivals with lower cost structures. This leads to route gaps, liquidity issues, and challenges in refinancing or investing in greener fleets.
Logistics costs are passed on, with warnings of up to 10% increases in haulage rates. Since trucks handle ~85% of goods transport in Germany, this contributes to higher consumer prices for everyday items (food, retail, manufacturing inputs). It has already fed into broader inflation spikes.
Potential delays, reduced services, and domino effects from insolvencies. Germany’s export-oriented economy and Mittelstand are particularly vulnerable, with knock-on effects on industry and just-in-time production. Logistics is projected to grow only ~0.5% in real terms in 2026 amid these pressures, weak industrial activity, and structural challenges like driver shortages.
The popular Deutschlandticket rose from €58 to €63 per month in January 2026 an ~8.6% hike, with some local and regional tickets also increasing. This affects commuters and occasional users, though the ticket remains subsidized and popular for reducing car use. Public operators face their own cost pressures, leading to debates over federal and state funding adequacy. Higher fares aim to offset revenue shortfalls but could dampen ridership gains from the ticket’s introduction.
Poor road and rail conditions compound issues, hindering efficiency and adding indirect costs for businesses. Without targeted relief, the sector warns of threats to jobs, supply security, and Germany’s competitiveness. Consumers ultimately feel it through higher prices and potential service reductions, while the push for green transition creates tension with immediate economic stability.
The incoming government under Friedrich Merz faces calls to balance these amid wider challenges like energy prices and weak growth. These impacts highlight a classic policy dilemma: climate goals versus protecting a critical, energy-intensive industry that underpins the economy. Short-term pain is evident in insolvencies and price pressures; longer-term effects depend on how quickly adaptation or policy relief occurs.