Fuel: excise duty cuts set to be extended for everyone until 10 September
Diesel is most expensive in the Province of Bolzano, at 2.195 euros per litre; Calabria follows at 2.172 euros
Key points
The only certainty, as usual, is rising fuel prices. Month after month, these are giving the government no respite, dampening enthusiasm for the celebrations marking the record-breaking longevity to be held on Friday in Bari. Because from the very next day, they will have to get back to work with the fourteenth decree (in this case a ministerial one) in less than six months to keep prices in check.
Diesel at nearly 2.2 euros a litre even in town, despite the discount
Let’s start with diesel, which – despite the current cut in excise duty and VAT of 17 centesimi per litre – is just a hair’s breadth away from the all-time high reached a few months ago. The national average is close to 2.15 euros per litre, but in some areas prices are approaching 2.2 euros. This is the case in the Province of Bolzano, which has been the most expensive region in Italia since the start of the energy crisis, but also in Calabria, where prices reach 2.172 euros.
Things aren’t any better for petrol
The situation with petrol is slightly different. For a start, there are no discounts currently in place (and there haven’t been since the start of July). This is because prices are relatively stable, even though they are rising slightly day by day. As a result, the national average today stands at just under 2.04 euros per litre: the highest since 2022.
The government’s plan
It is difficult – obviously due to the resources available – to reintroduce a blanket discount on petrol. If anything, for petrol, there could be some alternative measures introduced, designed specifically for workers, such as fringe benefits. Government officials are working to implement this change in strategy, but it may take a few more days.
That is why it is likely that from Sunday, immediately after the reduction expires, the reduction in diesel excise duty will be extended for a few days, until 10 September, thanks to the additional VAT revenue from August. Admittedly, this is expected to be higher than July’s figure (just 20.8 million), but it will still not be enough to provide such a long respite.
