European FVL Cost Index

Update of the European FVL Cost Index for Q3 and Q4 2024 released.

ECG – the Association of European Vehicle Logistics – and PwC Austria continue partnership to release regular index updates

Brussels, Monday 07 April 2025

The European Finished Vehicle Logistics (FVL) Cost Index for Q4 2024 stands at 154.2 which indicates an overall cost increase of 54.2 % from January 2019 to December 2024. Compared to the latest reported values for Q2 2024, three out of four segments showed an increase in Q3 and Q4 2024. For Q2 2024 the index stood at 160.7, hence, the index decreased by 6.5 index-points since the last index update. This development is greatly driven by the significant decrease of the FVL Sea Cost Index. For the four segments the following results were derived:

• Logistics segment road: The FVL Road Cost Index amounts to 128.3 for Q4 2024 which shows an overall cost increase of 28.3% between January 2019 and December 2024. For Q2 2024 the index stood at 127.7, hence, the index increased by 0.6 index-points since the last index update. This slight cost increase is mainly based on increasing labour costs as well as toll increases.

• Logistics segment sea: The FVL Sea Cost Index amounts to 215.9 for Q4 2024 which shows an overall cost increase of 115.9% between January 2019 and December 2024. For Q2 2024 the index stood at 242.0, hence, the index decreased by 26.1 index-points since the last index update. The substantial decrease in the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessel time charter rates primarily drives this index development.

• Logistics segment rail: The FVL Rail Cost Index amounts to 130.6 for Q4 2024 which shows an overall cost increase of 30.6% between January 2019 and December 2024. For Q2 2024 the index stood at 125.8, hence, the index increased by 4.8 index-points since the last index update. This cost increase is mainly driven by further increases in asset costs as well as fee increases in some of the eight countries.

• Logistics segment compounds: The FVL Compounds Cost Index amounts to 124.5 for Q4 2024 which shows an overall cost increase of 24.5% between January 2019 and December 2024. For Q2 2024 the index stood at 121.0, hence, the index increased by 3.5 index-points since the last index update. This development is primarily caused by further increases in labour and asset costs.

The full version of the updated figures for Q3 and Q4 2024 differentiated by segments and countries is available as an appendix to the study released in March 2023 here.

Further updates of the index will be provided bi-annually. Should you have any questions on the FVL Cost Index or would like to be involved in the process of future index updates, please feel free to contact PwC Austria or the ECG secretariat.

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