REPORT

Decarbonizing road transportation

What operators are facing in 2026

What needs to change for decarbonization to become commercially viable? A new Intelligence Briefing from IRU and Trimble Transportation shows where progress is happening and where barriers remain.

Get the insights preview

Transportation operators are looking for viable solutions, but who pays for the transition?

This report, based on a new survey and close collaboration between IRU and Trimble’s Transport and Logistics business, shows clearly that transportation operators are actively working to support decarbonization, though there is still a lot of opportunity for commercial and operational improvement.
Efficiency measures are already showing positive results. Eco-driving can reduce fuel consumption by around 15%*, while trucks with higher fill rates and reduced empty running can cut emissions without requiring major investment.
But deeper decarbonization depends on much bigger questions:

Who pays for the transition?
Is the charging and refuelling infrastructure ready?
Can alternative powertrains compete with diesel on total cost of ownership?
And how quickly can regulation, energy supply and customer demand align?

WHAT’S INSIDE: REPORT EXTRACT

Crucial gaps in emissions monitoring and regulatory knowledge

Action runs well ahead of commitment. Nine in ten European operators already take at least one measure to cut emissions, yet only around four in ten have set a target or can put a figure on what they emit.
The measures they reach for first are the ones that pay for themselves: optimising routing, eco-driving, fuller loads. Beyond that, cost decides: the price of the vehicle is now the leading barrier to alternative fuels.
Across the major European regulations tested, only around one in eight operators say they understand a given rule well,with understanding the thinnest of all when it comes to the carbon price that will raise diesel prices from 2028.
*IRU Green Compact Survey Report 2026

Get the insights preview

CLOSING THE GAP

Turn your decarbonization strategy into ROI

Achieving decarbonization goals only happens through daily operational discipline, and that requires you to have the best tools for planning, routing, monitoring and reporting. Trimble and Transporeon have the industry knowledge and experience to support you in meeting regulatory requirements while also improving daily operations.

10% reduction of unnecessary mileage: Systems like CoPilot and PC*Miler guide drivers on truck-legal, grade-optimized routes, preventing costly off-route miles and avoiding Low Emission Zone (LEZ) fines.
7% reduction in CO₂ emissions: Transporeon Visibility dynamically manages dock time slots and real-time tracking, reducing unnecessary engine idling at congested borders and loading bays.
15% reduction in fuel consumption: Combine eco-driving data with Market Insights lane benchmarks to price green lanes accurately and offset cost gaps with fuel efficiency.

Get the insights preview

WHY THIS REPORT MATTERS

An evidence-based analysis for transportation and policy leaders

Road transportation is essential to economic growth. It keeps goods moving, people connected and supply chains functioning. But decarbonization is adding new complexity to an industry already facing rising costs, driver shortages, capacity challenges and digital transformation. The IRU Green Compact Survey Report 2026 gives decision-makers a grounded, evidence-based view of ongoing work toward decarbonization. If you work in road transportation, logistics, policy, energy, vehicle manufacturing or supply chain sustainability, this report will help you understand where the market is moving and what is needed next.

Get your copy of the key takeaways in the Insights Preview

Fill out the form to access the Insights Preview of the IRU Green Compact Survey Report 2026.

We need your consent to load the service “Marketo”!

We use the service of a third-party provider to embed and provide content. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the data processing by Marketo. You can find out more about the service via “Settings”. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future.