The connected-vehicle company found more than 1.58 million liters were burned in traffic across seven capitals, with Paris posting the highest truck idling-loss rate and Berlin leading its overall efficiency index.
Geotab said connected vehicles in seven major European capitals consumed more than 1.58 million liters of fuel while idling in traffic during 2025, equal to about €2.6 million based on average European fuel prices for the year. The company said that if the same volume were priced using diesel levels above €2 per liter seen in the first half, after a 30% rise linked to geopolitical instability in the Middle East, the cost would reach about €3.6 million. The findings come from Geotab's European Urban Freight Efficiency Index, which uses full-year 2025 connected-vehicle data from Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin, Rome, Paris, London and Madrid to compare traffic flow and congestion costs for passenger vehicles and trucks. Paris recorded the highest truck idling-loss rate in the study at 18.2%, while Berlin topped the overall index with a score of 61 and a truck idling-loss rate of 8.5%. London was described as the most challenging city for fuel efficiency, with the highest passenger-vehicle idling fuel consumption at 13.6% and 15.60 liters per 100 kilometers. Rome and Madrid were the best performers for heavy trucks on fuel loss, each at 2.8%. Geotab said the data show congestion is not only a time problem but also a direct financial and environmental cost for fleets.