- The EU has asked member states to consider voluntary demand saving measures in transport.
- Europe relies on the Persian Gulf for over 40pc of its jet fuel and diesel imports.
- The European Commission has warned of rising costs and supply shortages in the transport sector.
- An emergency meeting of EU energy ministers took place on 31 March 2026.
- The letter has recommended deferring non-essential refinery maintenance and increasing biofuel use.
Europeans have been asked to consider travelling less as the European Commission has urged member states to prepare for prolonged energy supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. EU Energy Chief Dan Jørgensen has written to national energy ministers asking governments to examine voluntary demand saving measures with particular attention to the transport sector. The letter reflects growing concern that the conflict in the Persian Gulf has moved from a price issue to a potential all-out energy supply crisis.
The European Commission has revealed that Europe’s transport sector faces rising costs and supply shortages because of its heavy reliance on the Persian Gulf which supplies over 40pc of the EU’s jet fuel and diesel imports. Jørgensen has confirmed that limited availability of alternative suppliers and refining capacity within the EU has compounded the problem. European energy ministers held an emergency meeting on 31 March 2026 to discuss responses to the situation.
The EU has recommended that member states refrain from measures that could increase fuel consumption or limit the free flow of petroleum products. Countries have been asked to consider boosting monitoring, deferring non-essential refinery maintenance and increasing the adoption of biofuels where possible.
Dan Jørgensen shared “Member States should refrain from taking measures that may increase fuel consumption, limit the free flow of petroleum products or disincentivise EU refinery output. Member States should make timely preparation in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption.”
