Road freight transport remains essential to the French economy and continues to enjoy a broadly positive public image. Yet the energy transition, international competition and the future of employment are raising growing concerns. For the second consecutive year, SOLUTRANS and OpinionWay have surveyed the French public to understand how they perceive the industry. What does the 2026 edition reveal, and how have attitudes changed since 2025? We explore the key findings.
Published on Oct 23,2026 at 4:12 PM | Updated on Oct 26,2026 at 12:00 PM
Has road freight become more indispensable than ever in the eyes of the French public?

Road freight: An increasingly recognised pillar of the French economy

According to the 2026 OpinionWay Barometer for SOLUTRANS, 89% of French people consider road freight transport essential to the economy, compared with 88% in 2025.

This recognition is also reflected in attitudes towards vehicles. Some 63% of respondents have a positive image of heavy goods vehicles (up one percentage point), while light commercial vehicles enjoy a 74% positive rating, an increase of four points. Even more significantly, 81% believe it would be impossible to do without trucks entirely when transporting goods across France, three points higher than in 2025. These findings highlight growing recognition of the industry's fundamental role, from supplying retailers to delivering everyday essentials.

However, recognition of the industry's economic importance does not necessarily translate into greater appreciation of its workforce.

In 2026, 81% of French respondents believe that HGV drivers do not receive sufficient recognition in society, compared with 78% a year earlier.

This raises a fundamental question for the industry's future: how can we better highlight the people who keep our supply chains moving every day?

Energy transition: Greater visibility, but a persistent information gap

Decarbonising road freight is one of the industry's greatest transformations, and public perceptions are beginning to shift.

In 2026, 64% of respondents recognise the efforts being made by road transport professionals to reduce their environmental impact, up from 60% in 2025.

Another particularly striking finding is that 63% now believe an increasing number of trucks are running on cleaner energy sources, compared with just 36% the previous year.

This 27-point increase suggests that the industry's environmental transformation is becoming more visible to the public. Fleet electrification, alternative fuels and new energy solutions appear to be gaining greater recognition. Yet a significant gap remains between awareness and understanding. Only 33% of French people feel well informed about the use of new energy sources in road freight, virtually unchanged from 34% in 2025. In other words, the public is increasingly aware that the sector is evolving, without necessarily understanding the technologies and operational challenges involved.

For vehicle manufacturers, equipment suppliers, transport operators and energy providers, these findings underline the importance of making innovation more accessible, explaining its practical applications and demonstrating the progress already being made.

International competition: New concerns for the industry

Beyond the energy transition, the 2026 Barometer explores a new topic: French attitudes towards the arrival of Chinese manufacturers in the European commercial vehicle market.

The findings reveal a public divided between economic opportunities and concerns about industrial competitiveness.

Some 76% of respondents believe the arrival of Chinese manufacturers poses a threat to French road transport jobs. At the same time, 52% consider Chinese trucks to be as reliable as those produced by European manufacturers.

This contrast illustrates the complexity of a changing market. While new competitors may bring opportunities, their arrival also raises questions about the competitiveness of European industry and the protection of jobs. Attitudes also vary across generations, with younger respondents showing greater openness towards these new manufacturers.

How do French consumers weigh up price, innovation, competitiveness and employment? The full Barometer provides further insight into these emerging expectations.

Looking ahead to 2027: Growing expectations of public authorities

As road transport companies balance investment requirements, competitiveness and decarbonisation, the French public increasingly believes that the responsibility for transforming the industry cannot rest on businesses alone.

84% believe public authorities should provide financial support to help road transport companies adopt cleaner energy sources, an increase of five percentage points since 2025. This expectation is particularly significant given that only 38% believe current government support is sufficient.

With France's 2027 presidential election approaching, road freight is also becoming a political issue: 62% of respondents want candidates to present specific, measurable commitments concerning the future of the industry.

But are consumers themselves prepared to change their habits to support this transformation?

The Barometer reveals contrasting attitudes towards environmental responsibility, delivery times and additional costs. These findings raise important questions about the future business models of road transport and logistics.

Bringing together vehicle manufacturers, equipment suppliers, bodybuilders, transport operators, energy providers, logistics professionals and policymakers, SOLUTRANS creates an essential platform for dialogue, collaboration and the joint development of tomorrow's solutions.

Because the future of road freight cannot be shaped by any one player. It must be built together.

Download the full 2026 OpinionWay Barometer for SOLUTRANS, “Road Transport Through the Eyes of the French”, to explore all the results and discover how perceptions have evolved since 2025.