Truck Rental in European Union 2026: Industry Statistics & Trends

The truck rental and leasing industry in the European Union consists of the non-operator rental and operational leasing of goods transport vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, and utility trailers. Historically, about 10% of the active European road freight fleet has been operated under rented or leased arrangements. Official Eurostat data demonstrates that the sector has evolved from a baseline of approximately 6,123 active enterprises generating €7,849 million in turnover to a highly integrated logistic component. In recent years, the sector has transitioned towards green fleets and digitised asset tracking under reformed EU cross-border transport frameworks.

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

Historical & forecast

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What does the Truck Rental in European Union industry cover?

This industry encompasses the short-term renting and long-term operational leasing of commercial trucks, utility trailers, and heavy motor vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes. It specifically excludes any rental of heavy goods vehicles or trucks containing a driver, which are categorized under road freight transport.

• •Covers heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) used for commercial freight logistics.
• •Includes specialized vehicles such as refrigerated commercial trucks, double-deck trailers, and temperature-controlled containers.
• •Excludes vehicles rented with operators or drivers, which fall under NACE division 49.

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The European market is structured around a mix of global logistics rental specialists, dedicated vehicle manufacturers with in-house leasing divisions, and local operators. Fleet configurations are heavily weighted toward B2B services, representing the majority of the sector's operational volume.

• •The overall European truck rental and leasing fleet is split between light commercial vehicles and heavy goods vehicles.
• •Short-term rentals help freight transport operators manage seasonal peaks without capital-intensive ownership.
• •B2B long-term operational leasing provides businesses with full-service maintenance and regulatory compliance options.

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand is driven by the expansion of cross-border logistics, e-commerce delivery requirements, and corporate transitions from capital expenditure to operating expenditure models. Additionally, stricter European environmental standards make modern rental fleets attractive compared to owning aging capital assets.

• •Urban logistics and last-mile retail deliveries drive demand for versatile, smaller commercial rental vehicles.
• •Hired vehicles in Europe are on average 4 to 6 years newer, safer, and cleaner than owned fleets, assisting companies in meeting environmental targets.
• •Fluctuating industrial production across the EU makes flexible rental contracts essential for variable capacity management.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The industry features highly professionalized multinational groups operating broad networks across multiple EU Member States. These operators provide comprehensive fleet management, maintenance, and technical assistance.

• •Fraikin Group operates as a major European player in commercial vehicle rental, managing a diverse fleet and generating over €1 billion in net revenue.
• •Petit Forestier Group operates a specialized fleet of over 80,000 refrigerated vehicles to serve the continent's cold chain demands.
• •TIP Group (registered as TIP Trailer Services) is a major provider of trailer leasing, rental, maintenance, and repair services across Europe.
• •Loxam, through its dedicated commercial and heavy vehicle divisions, contributes significantly to regional equipment and truck rental operations.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry is shifting rapidly toward electric and alternative-fuel commercial vehicles to align with the EU's decarbonization targets. Telematics and IoT integration have become standard features, allowing real-time tracking of diagnostics, tire pressure, and temperature data.

• •Investment in zero-emission electric trucks and hydrogen vehicle fleets is increasing to comply with municipal low-emission zones.
• •Implementation of smart trailers equipped with advanced sensors improves route planning and cargo safety.
• •Operational leasing is increasingly preferred over direct ownership to hedge against technology obsolescence in alternative fuels.

How is the industry regulated?

Operations are governed by strict European Union safety, transport, and environmental laws. A major legislative reform, Directive (EU) 2022/738, amended rules on the use of vehicles hired without drivers for the carriage of goods by road, liberalizing cross-border rentals.

• •Directive (EU) 2022/738 restricts EU Member States from prohibiting the use of rented transport vehicles from other Member States, simplifying cross-border operations.
• •Vehicles must adhere to stringent Euro VI emission standards and upcoming Euro VII requirements.
• •Fleets must comply with EU tachograph regulations (such as Smart Tachograph Version 2) to monitor driver hours and vehicle positioning.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Eurostat Structural Business Statistics 2012 ·
• European Parliament Briefing on Goods Vehicles Hired Without Drivers 2021 ·
• European Commission Ex-Post Evaluation of Directive 2006/1/EC ·
• Directive (EU) 2022/738 of the European Parliament and of the Council ·
• European Rental Association (ERA) Annual Statistics