That’s one of the key findings of a new OpinionWay survey commissioned by Solutrans, revealing both strong public support for road transport’s environmental transition and deep-seated misconceptions about the sector.
The survey, carried out in September 2025 among a representative sample of 1,058 adults, paints a clear picture of how the French perceive trucks, drivers and the wider road freight sector. Published under the title “Le transport routier vu par les Français” (Road transport as seen by the French), the report finds that 88% of respondents view haulage as essential to the French economy, while 62% hold a positive opinion of trucks and 70% of light commercial vehicles.
For most, the practicality of road transport remains clear:
- 66% say trucks are indispensable for reaching remote areas,
- and 63% see them as the fastest way to deliver goods.
Yet stereotypes persist. 78%of respondents wrongly believe that most trucks circulating in France are in transit between other countries, while 42% think the sector is responsible for the majority of air pollution, and 51% associate it with a high risk of accidents.
Only 34% of the population feel well-informed about new truck technologies and alternative fuels such as electric, biogas or hydrogen; a figure that rises to 57% among those under 35 but drops to 21% among people over 65.
Support for a state-backed green transition
Despite limited understanding, public sentiment leans towards supporting the industry’s decarbonisation.
79% of respondents say public authorities should financially assist hauliers in switching to cleaner energy sources, and 70% believe high-capacity trucks could help reduce CO₂ emissions.
At the same time, most citizens would accept longer delivery times to lower transport emissions, but only around three in ten would pay extra for greener deliveries.
This contrast highlights a key challenge for hauliers: while there is social licence to decarbonise, the transition must remain economically viable within price-sensitive supply chains.
Industry efforts partly recognised
Six in ten respondents acknowledge that the road transport industry is already making efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, particularly through noise reduction (59%), improved road safety (65%), and better working conditions for drivers (67%).
However, public recognition remains limited, with many still unaware of the technological and operational progress already achieved.
The survey also reveals a strong perception gap around the driver profession: 78% of respondents consider it under-recognised despite its central role in the economy.
Overall, the study confirms that the French public sees trucks as indispensable yet imperfectly understood. While eight in ten citizens say it would be unthinkable to do without road transport, lingering misconceptions about pollution and safety continue to shape opinion.
