Green Logistics in Road Transport: Trends & Action

At ITC Benelux, road transport is at the core of what we do, from daily Benelux distribution to international lanes like Italy. With the right mix of technology, consolidation, and partner selection, greener road transport can be both practical and cost-efficient.

We support groupage, LTL, FTL and express shipments across the EU.

Companies are moving from we try to be greener to measurable targets and auditable reporting. That’s driven by customer requirements (Scope 3), and by standard methods that make comparisons easier:

• The GLEC Framework helps calculate and report logistics emissions consistently.
• ISO 14083 provides a methodology for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions across transport chains.

If you already track costs per shipment, you can start tracking CO₂ per shipment too—especially on frequent lanes.

Electrification is accelerating in short-haul and regional transport, while alternative fuels are bridging the gap for longer distances. Expect a multi-solution landscape for the next decade.

Electric trucks fit best where distances are predictable and charging can be planned. The EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) aims to expand charging and refuelling infrastructure along key corridors, which will gradually improve long-haul feasibility.

For many fleets, renewable diesel (e.g., HVO) and biofuels can cut lifecycle emissions without changing equipment. The practical takeaway: ask your carrier what fuel options are realistic on your routes today.

The fastest way to reduce emissions in road freight is often to avoid unnecessary kilometres and empty capacity. This is where classic logistics levers become green logistics levers.

Consolidating shipments reduces the number of trucks on the road. If you ship partial loads, groupage and LTL can be a double win: lower cost and lower CO₂ per pallet. (If you’re an SME, read: Why Groupage Transport is ideal for SMEs.)

Better planning reduces detours, waiting time, and idling—especially around urban areas and restricted zones. We covered this in Smarter Logistics Through Efficient Route Optimisation.

Cities are tightening access rules, and receivers want more predictable deliveries. In the Benelux, this affects last-mile distribution, appointment deliveries, and the equipment you need (tail-lifts, small trucks, fixed-time deliveries). A reliable, tech-driven approach matters—see Reliable Distribution in the Benelux.

You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Start with the steps that create immediate CO₂ and cost reductions—then build toward bigger changes.

Pick a consistent method (GLEC, ISO 14083, or your customer’s preferred model) and define a baseline:

• CO₂ per shipment, pallet, or tonne-kilometre
• Empty kilometres and failed delivery attempts
• Waiting time at loading/unloading

If you ship multiple smaller orders per week, consider consolidation:

• Use groupage/LTL for partial loads and FTL when volumes justify it—so you avoid shipping air
• Align pickup days and delivery windows to enable better load planning
• Combine transport with cross-docking or temporary storage when it reduces re-handling

Our Services and Logistics and storage options are designed to support this kind of less waste, more flow setup.

Quick checklist for load efficiency

• Can we ship 2–3 orders together instead of separately?
• Are pallets standardised to maximise trailer fill?
• Can delivery slots be flexible to avoid peak congestion?

Work with your logistics partner to match the right equipment and energy type to each lane:

• Newer, cleaner vehicles for urban/LEZ delivery
• Renewable fuels (where available) for long-haul
• Electric solutions for predictable regional routes

EU policy is tightening CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles, so these options will become more common—and more competitive. If you operate international road transport on lanes like Italy, lane-specific planning makes a big difference—see Transport to Italy.

Small operational changes add up:

• Booking systems to cut waiting and idling
• Better packaging and labelling to reduce rework
• Fewer border delays through correct documentation—see Customs Clearance Made Easy with ITC Benelux

Last-minute replanning, detours, and urgent shipments are often the most carbon-intensive. Prepare early for known pressure points:

• August road bans in Europe
• Get Ready for Peak Season Logistics

Green logistics in road transport is a mix of smarter decisions and better execution: measure consistently, consolidate where you can, optimise routes, and select the right capacity for each lane. If you want help building a practical plan—without sacrificing service—explore our About approach or contact ITC Benelux for tailored road transport advice.