Upper Austrian hauliers seek relief from rising costs

Upper Austrian transport companies say soaring costs threaten their competitiveness and the supply of goods, and are calling for lasting relief, ORF reported. Günther Reder, head of the transport trade group at the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber, says diesel has risen by about 60 cents per litre since the start of the year.

For a lorry travelling about 120,000 kilometres a year, that means more than 20,000 euros in additional costs, according to the companies. “This is not about paying a few euros more to fill the tank. Transport companies cannot subsidise these extra costs,” Reder said.

Reder welcomed temporary fuel-price relief planned for October and November but said short-term measures were not enough. The industry is seeking longer-term changes, including suspending the carbon price on commercial diesel and cutting mineral oil tax. Austria must ensure domestic companies do not fall further behind in international competition, he said.

A draft Renewable Energy Act for Transport would require fossil fuels to be replaced from 2027 and could bring further cost increases, Reder warned. He said this would undermine efforts to stabilise prices, adding that higher transport costs would push up prices for food, building materials and consumer goods.

Reder called for incentives to adopt alternative drive systems, fewer driving bans and practical rules to address the shortage of drivers.