Geotab Data: European Congestion Costs Fleets Millions in Wasted Fuel

Geotab's analysis of European urban traffic indicates that congestion incurs significant fuel costs for vehicle fleets due to idling. In 2025, Geotab-connected vehicles consumed over 1.58 million liters of fuel while stationary in traffic across Europe's capital cities. This equates to an estimated €2.6 million in costs solely from wasted time and fuel.

The study analyzed seven major capitals: London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin, Rome, Paris, and Madrid. The findings show that the sheer volume of traffic is not the sole indicator; traffic flow consistency and predictability significantly impact fuel efficiency. London emerged as a challenging city, where stop-start traffic forces engines to idle for up to 13.6% of total fuel consumption for passenger vehicles, and 11.1% for commercial trucks.

Berlin and Amsterdam performed better in the study regarding fuel efficiency. In Berlin, truck idling accounted for only 8.5% of fuel consumption, while Amsterdam's passenger vehicles idled at 10.5%. Rome and Madrid experienced slow but continuous traffic, reducing truck idling to just 2.8% of fuel use. Paris, conversely, showed the highest idling rate for trucks, with nearly one in five liters of fuel wasted while stationary.

Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President, EMEA at Geotab, emphasized that congestion costs should not be measured solely by time lost. "When vehicles are idling, fleets are effectively burning money. Our data shows it costs them millions: fuel consumed with engines running and wheels going nowhere. Every liter is also an emissions cost," Kulperger stated. He highlighted that fleets navigating congestion most effectively are those with a clear picture of where these costs are incurred.