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New IRU Intelligence Monitoring: Road transport diesel taxes in Europe
EU | Brussels

New IRU Intelligence Monitoring: Road transport diesel taxes in Europe

21 Jan 2026 · Environment

Diesel VAT rates range from 8.1% to 27% in Europe – and 17 European countries apply a CO₂-based component to their diesel tax. Our latest Intelligence Monitoring details the various taxes applied to diesel by country.   

IRU’s new Intelligence Monitoring helps readers better understand fuel price dynamics by assessing the final cost faced by transport operators.   

It provides information on national VAT rates, excise duties, CO₂ taxes, and other indirect taxes.   

CO2 based tax on diesel

While transport operators can often recover VAT, both nationally and internationally, indirect taxes must be paid in full (some governments offer partial refunds to national fleets). The monitoring complements the IRU Intelligence Briefing on fuel prices.   
 

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