Drivers of goods energy consumption variation

  • The energy consumption for freight was stable between 2019 and 2021 at EU level. This trend is explained by an increase in traffic in ton-km (3.9 Mtoe), a modal shift to road transport (0.9 Mtoe) and other effects (1.3 Mtoe). These effects were counterbalanced by energy savings (6 Mtoe).

Decomposition of energy consumption for freight (EU) (2019-2021)


  • 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)