ARCHIVED - Low-cost fuel stations in Spain demand millions in compensation
Filling stations across Spain are threatening legal action over the chaos caused by applying the fuel discount
Low-cost filling stations across Spain are threatening to launch a multi-million euro compensation battle against the central government and the European Union over the difficulties experienced in implementing the new 20 cents per litre fuel discount and fears that they will not be correctly reimbursed.
The National Association of Automatic Service Stations (Aesae) last week warned of the “economic suffocation of many small and medium-sized businesses” at having to apply the discount before the promised funds arrive from the government. There has also been chaos in simply processing the bonus correctly at automated filling stations, a factor which Aesae fears will lead to companies not being adequately compensated.
“We are collaborators of the Administration but we do not have the resources to be its bank,” the group said.
There are around one million euros owed to service stations across Spain since the discount was first applied on April 1, and the government has reassured that the funds will reach around 80% this Tuesday and Wednesday, so that companies shouldn’t have to carry the burden of the fuel bonus much longer.
However, Aesae is studying ways to claim compensation from the government for their patrimonial responsibility for the damage caused through legal processes both in Spain and in the European Union.
Surprisingly though, this decision has caused a divide among low-cost operators, with two of the biggest players, Plenoil and Ballenoil, firmly coming down on the side of the government, indicating that they have implemented the discount in all of their stores which makes “the acquisition of such a basic good as fuel more affordable” to customers.
Repsol, the largest outfit in Spain with around 3,300 filling stations, agrees and has called on others in the business “to go the extra mile” for their consumers by embracing the temporary discount.
Image: Plenoil
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