Two fuel-saving tricks truckers are using as diesel costs soar

Dutch hauliers are already changing how they operate on the road as diesel prices hit record levels. According to Dutch transport association TLN, some operators have started lowering truck speeds to save fuel, while others are focusing on tyre pressure and more efficient tyres to soften the blow.

The operational change comes as Dutch diesel prices reach historic highs. UnitedConsumers listed the national recommended average diesel price at €2.682 per litre on 23 March 2026, describing it as the highest level on record in its data series. Earlier this month, TLN had already warned that diesel had jumped sharply since the start of the year.

What makes this story particularly strong is that the response is no longer just political lobbying or complaints about costs. Hauliers are already changing behaviour behind the wheel. That turns a fuel-price story into an operations story.

Slower trucks, lower fuel burn

The idea behind slower driving is simple: fuel savings can be achieved quite quickly by cutting cruising speed. Volvo Trucks says that driving at 85 km/h instead of 90 km/h can reduce fuel consumption by about 3.5%, while cutting speed further from 85 km/h to 80 km/h can lower it by another 2–3%.

That helps explain why some Dutch operators are reportedly lowering their vehicles’ maximum speed. In a market where margins are already thin, even a modest reduction in fuel use can make a difference.

TLN has also pointed to other quick savings measures, including keeping tyre pressure at the right level and using low-rolling-resistance tyres. According to the Dutch industry association, these are the kinds of steps companies can take immediately while waiting to see whether any broader relief measures emerge.

Diesel is not the only problem

For Dutch hauliers, the fuel spike is landing on top of other cost pressures. TLN says road transport companies are also dealing with higher wage costs and the upcoming truck levy, making the diesel surge especially difficult to absorb. TLN notes that roughly three quarters of total road freight costs consist of labour and fuel costs, underlining why a sudden jump in diesel can hit so hard.