ARCHIVED - Filling stations in Spain warn that petrol could exceed 3 euros per litre this summer
Almost 500 filling stations have closed down in Spain as the government fuel discount smothers small businesses
Fuel prices in Spain continue their unstoppable rise and with the vast majority of filling stations across the country now charging more than 2 euros per litre, the situation is escalating. This is despite the fact that the government has implemented a 20 cent discount on petrol and diesel, a crisis measure that has been extended until the beginning of October.
Now, the Spanish Confederation of Service Station Employers (CEEES) is warning that fuel prices will almost certainly break through the three euros per litre barrier in the coming months.
“I cannot rule out any scenario, we could see prices of 3 euros/litre this summer,” president of the Confederation, Nacho Rabadán, predicted, explaining that the demand for diesel in particular far outweighs the supply. The problem will be far more apparent in the summer months, which bring “an increase in the demand for fuel and there is not enough.”
You might also like: Electricity prices in Spain continue to climb despite gas cap
Today, filling an average 55-litre tank costs around 165 euros, so for a car with a consumption rate of 7 litres per 100, travelling 20,000 kilometres a year, the annual cost has risen to 4,200 euros or 250 euros per month in fuel alone.
It may seem like a bit of a contradiction, but filling stations themselves have reported being far less busy as people choose to walk or cycle rather than fork out fortunes for fuel, and businesses are struggling.
Compared to 2019, 492 service stations have closed down, resulting in the loss of 1,516 jobs. The pandemic undoubtedly contributed to this situation, but many of the smaller companies have previously warned that the government’s fuel discount, 5 cents of which the businesses have to cover themselves, will smother many filling stations.
>>> Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates <<<
Image: Archive
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
