Road Freight Is the only Mode of Transport that Grew in the Past Decade

Why It Matters

The divergence undermines EU climate and congestion targets, while pressuring rail operators financially and threatening the viability of continent‑wide rail initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• Road freight share rose to over 25% of EU goods.
• Maritime share fell 2.5% but stays at 67%.
• Rail freight slipped to 5.4%, losing 0.3%.
• Growth seen in all EU states except Luxembourg, Greece, Portugal.
• Baltic states and Romania posted largest road freight gains.

Pulse Analysis

The latest Eurostat data paints a stark picture of Europe’s freight landscape: despite a decade of policy incentives to boost rail, trucks have captured additional market share at the expense of maritime, rail and inland waterways. This modal shift reflects not only the flexibility and door‑to‑door service that road freight offers, but also lingering bottlenecks in rail capacity, fragmented cross‑border signalling systems, and delayed infrastructure upgrades. As a result, the EU’s ambition to achieve a 30% rail freight share by 2030 appears increasingly out of reach.

Beyond the numbers, the surge in road freight carries significant environmental and economic repercussions. Increased truck traffic contributes to higher CO₂ emissions, air‑quality concerns, and road‑wear costs that ultimately burden taxpayers. Meanwhile, rail operators, many of which are already operating at a loss, face shrinking volumes that exacerbate financial strain and trigger restructuring or potential insolvency. The fragmentation of rail networks—highlighted by the slow rollout of ERTMS and DAC standards—further hampers the creation of a seamless, competitive rail corridor across the continent.

Looking ahead, policymakers must reconcile the gap between ambition and reality by accelerating rail infrastructure projects, harmonising signalling standards, and incentivising modal shifts through carbon pricing or congestion charges. Investment in digital freight platforms could improve visibility and encourage shippers to consider rail for longer hauls, while targeted subsidies for high‑density corridors may restore rail’s competitiveness. Without decisive action, the road‑dominant trend is likely to persist, eroding the EU’s sustainability goals and reshaping the logistics market for years to come.