As we begin 2025, Trackeasez presents a comprehensive overview of the key developments shaping road transport across Europe. This report reflects on trends from Q4 2024 and January 2025, covering economic indicators, industry pressures like bankruptcies and driver shortages, and updates on the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and road toll changes—both of which are driving up operating costs.
We also shed light on Trackeasez’s commitment to sustainability, including our investment in renewable energy and the rollout of charging infrastructure to support the green transition in road logistics.
Topics Covered
- Economic landscape in Europe
- Transport capacity & diesel pricing
- Bankruptcies, driver shortages & NCTS rollouts
- ETS expansion & road toll impact
- Trackease’s sustainability initiatives
- New sustainability explainer videos
Economic Overview: The Euro Area
Inflation and GDP figures signal ongoing volatility in Europe’s economic recovery:
- Inflation rose slightly to 2.5% in January 2025, driven by a surge in energy prices (+1.8%).
- Core inflation held steady at 2.7%, though it remains at its lowest point since early 2022.
- Eurozone GDP stalled in Q4 2024, following modest growth in Q3 (+0.4%), highlighting persistent economic headwinds.
Source: Eurostat
Transport Capacity & Fuel Prices
- The capacity index declined to 97.2 in Q4 and dropped further to 95.4 in January.
- Meanwhile, diesel prices fell slightly to €1,545.06, down from €1,621.15 the month prior.
- Year-on-year, freight capacity is down 5% across Europe.
- Both contract and spot rates rose in Q4 2024, reversing prior declines. Contract rates reached 128.9, while spot rates moved up to 123.9.
Sources: Transporeon Market Monitor, IRU, EC Oil Bulletin
Bankruptcies, Driver Shortages & NCTS Phase 5
Bankruptcies on the Rise:
- France: Over 1,300 transport companies filed for bankruptcy in 2024—a 38% increase.
- Belgium and Germany also saw spikes, with Germany’s transport failure rate now twice the national average.
- In the UK, nearly 500 carriers exited the market in 2023.
- Poland faces rising costs and reduced demand, with 30,000 driver vacancies—many previously filled by non-EU workers, now harder to recruit due to geopolitical tensions.
New Transit System:
From 21 January 2025, NCTS Phase 5 was launched across 29 countries. The update improves transit documentation, mandating more detailed data and product classification (HS codes) for cross-border shipping.
ETS Expansion & Road Toll Challenges
- As of 2025, the EU Emissions Trading System now requires shipping companies to account for 70% of emissions, impacting transport costs across the board.
- Countries continue to update tolling structures with little notice, creating compliance hurdles and affecting delivery costs.
- The carbon price pressure is accelerating the shift toward low-emission alternatives.
At Trackeasez, we’re actively guiding our customers through these shifts and adapting our operations to ensure cost transparency and environmental compliance.
Trackease’s Path to Sustainability
At Trackeasez, sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a core principle of our long-term strategy.
We’re investing in large-scale renewable energy assets that power our operations and help decarbonize road transport. Our efforts focus on reducing emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, while improving energy efficiency for ourselves and our partners.
Current Projects:
- Landskrona, Sweden: A 14 MWp solar PV installation generating power equivalent to 1,400 households annually.
- Horsens, Denmark: A 36 MWp rooftop solar park with 9 MWh battery storage.
- Four new European sites are under development and will be operational in the coming years.
These initiatives enable us to charge electric vehicles, store surplus energy, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels—pushing the logistics sector toward a net-zero future by 2050.
New in Our Sustainability Explainer Series
Get expert insights into key green technologies and regulatory trends:
- Biofuels: The pros, cons, and future viability
- Battery vs. Hydrogen: Which holds the edge for heavy-duty freight?
- Road Taxes: How governments are shaping logistics pricing through taxation
Final Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be a year of transition, resilience, and transformation for European road transport. At Trackeasez, we remain committed to keeping you informed and equipped to navigate the road ahead—whether it’s through innovation, regulation, or rising fuel challenges.
Let’s move forward sustainably.
