As of 2023, the transport of empty road freight in Germany was at 1.36 Billion Vehicle-Kilometers. Forecasts from 2024 to 2028 show a declining trend, with values gradually decreasing from 1.35 to 1.31 Billion Vehicle-Kilometers. The year-on-year decrease is approximately 0.74% from 2024 to 2025 and continues similarly in subsequent years. On average, the annual decline (CAGR) over the five-year forecast period is about 0.74%.

Future trends to watch for:

Adoption of more efficient logistics and supply chain technologies that could further reduce the need for empty road freight.
Increasing emphasis on sustainability and carbon reduction targets, potentially accelerating the transition to alternative modes of transport.
Potential regulatory changes that might impact the logistics industry, influencing empty freight transport dynamics.