Diesel surge puts Lower Austrian transport firms under pressure
Friday 9th October 2026 on 20:15 in
Austria
Rising diesel prices are squeezing freight and taxi businesses in Lower Austria, with one transport company estimating an additional €1.5 million in fuel costs this year, ORF reports. Diesel now costs about €2.10 a litre in Austria, nearly 60 cents more than at the start of the year, according to E-Control data.
For the fleet of Johannes Trost’s transport company in Traisen, in the district of Lilienfeld, the increase is particularly significant because its vehicles travel hundreds of kilometres a day. Diesel accounts for about a third to almost half of freight costs, depending on the job, Trost said, adding that high energy prices could threaten businesses’ survival.
The company uses about three million litres of diesel a year and expects the price rise to add around €130,000 to its monthly costs. It plans to pass some of that expense on to customers, including through variable diesel surcharges that link freight prices to fuel costs. But passing on increases is difficult under fixed annual contracts, Trost said.
Transport businesses are also calling for financial relief, including a suspension of carbon pricing and a reduction in mineral oil tax to stabilise diesel prices.
Taxi companies face similar pressure but cannot adjust fares freely because rates are set by local authorities. Lower Austria has five taxi fare zones: the cities of St. Pölten, Wiener Neustadt and Krems, the municipality of Schwechat, and the district of Baden. The rates were set in 2023 and 2024.
Christoph Brunnauer, who runs a taxi company in St. Pölten, said fuel, vehicle purchases, insurance and repair costs had risen by 20 to 30 percent, while fares had remained unchanged for more than two years. Taxi businesses are seeking a rate adjustment from the state government.
Brunnauer’s company is reviewing costs and seeking better offers for servicing and vehicle purchases. It has also replaced diesel vehicles with petrol hybrids and tested electric cars, but has encountered limits in driving range and charging infrastructure. The company sees electric vehicles as a possible longer-term option if they can provide sufficient range.