Efficiency of the consumption of energy in the road transport of goods in the context of the energy crisis

Transport costs are strongly influenced by fuel prices and fuel consumption in transport, i.e., energy efficiency. The aim of the article is to present the problem of energy efficiency in freight transport with the use of Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV). The authors presented the factors of energy efficiency in road transport, energy efficiency of the road vehicles, the share of fuel costs in the total costs of transport companies and the relationship between the increase in fuel prices and the increase in transport rates. Research methods include, apart from literature analysis, interviews conducted in Polish transport companies in 2022 and the analysis of data collected by the authors on the transport services market over the last 20 years. The increase in rates over the last 20 years, until 2021, largely coincided with the increase in fuel prices, while in 2022, for the first time in this period, the increase in fuel prices was greater than the increase in rates. However, the prices for transport services increased with the increase in energy consumption costs, not with changes in fuel prices. The cost of energy consumption depends on the efficiency of its use, which is constantly increasing, although to a small extent. Research shows that the efficiency of fuel consumption in high-tonnage transport changes at a rate of 0.8–1% per year while the proportion of fuel costs in Polish transport companies transporting goods by road in the last 20 years oscillates between 29% and 46%. There was also an increase in the freight rates on this market, in most cases by over 30%. Despite this, however, the profitability of some companies deteriorated. A large increase in transport rates, compensating for the increase in fuel prices, applies mainly to transport companies whose strategy is to compete with the quality of services, and when high-value loads are transported, while a small increase in transport rates, which does not compensate for the increase in fuel prices, applies mainly to companies whose strategy is to compete on the price of transport services and when low-value cargo is being transported. The results of research on the market in Poland conducted by the authors of the article agrees with the results and opinions of other authors and researchers from other countries. The authors also agree with the view that the possibilities of increasing the efficiency of energy consumption in road transport by the carriers themselves are limited. The road transport market, especially in Poland, is highly competitive, which results in high efficiency of transport processes. However, this efficiency is largely affected by factors beyond the control of these companies (technological factors, infrastructure and energy sources). It seems that the involvement of the state is necessary. The research carried out by the authors of the article also confirmed the existing relationships between the weight of the transported cargo and energy consumption identified by other authors.