The European Road Freight Market in 2025: A Defining Moment for Freight Forwarders
As of May 2025, Europe’s road freight transport sector stands at a crucial intersection of growth, disruption, and digital transformation. Far from a stagnant industry, road freight remains the vital circulatory system of the European economy, and an unmatched opportunity for freight forwarders ready to lead the future of logistics.
An Economic Powerhouse on the Move
While the most recent comprehensive data from Eurostat reports over 1 857 billion tonne-kilometres transported by road in 2023, all indicators suggest that 2024 sustained the sector’s momentum.The European road transport industry represents approximately 3.75%* of the EU27’s total GDP, highlighting its significant role in driving the European economy. Furthermore, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reported a 8.3% increase in new truck registrations in 2024, a strong signal of confidence and fleet renewal among transport operators.Spain led this growth, followed by Germany, France, and Italy.
Road remains the dominant mode of inland freight, accounting for more than 75% of goods transported within the EU. Cross-border freight alone represents nearly a quarter of this volume, underscoring the importance of seamless operations across EU member states and reaffirming road freight’s role as the central pillar of European trade.
The Challenge and Power of Fragmentation
The European fleet is notably fragmented. According to ACEA, over 80% of trucks are registered in fleets with fewer than 10 vehicles. These small and medium-sized operators form the backbone of the industry, but they also face intense competitive pressure, regulatory complexity, and limited access to advanced technologies.
Yet, this fragmentation creates fertile ground for scalable, digital-first solutions that empower SMEs and level the playing field. The demand for these solutions has never been greater.
Enabling the Freight Forwarder of the Future
In this evolving landscape, freight forwarders need more than tools, they need partners who understand the complexity of their operations. At Fincargo, we combine industry expertise with digital capabilities to develop invoice-to-cash solutions that streamline processes, reduce friction, and scale with confidence.
The Time Is Now
The European road freight market isn’t just active, it’s entering a new digital age. For freight forwarders, this brings new ways to go digital, reduce costs, improve cash flow, build stronger ties with subcontractors, and seize growth opportunities. 2025 is the ideal moment to rethink your role in a fast-moving ecosystem.
Fincargo’s invoice-to-cash (I2C) approach equips you to accelerate cash flow, strengthen control, and scale with confidence.
*Based on estimates combining Eurostat data indicating that the transport sector contributes around 5% to the EU's GDP, and ACEA figures showing that approximately 75% of inland freight is carried by road.