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Eva from Oslo fills up with Europe's cheapest gasoline in Strömstad
🇸🇪 Sweden /Economy & Trade

Eva from Oslo fills up with Europe's cheapest gasoline in Strömstad

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Following a Swedish tax cut on gasoline and diesel, prices in Strömstad are significantly lower than in neighboring Norway.
  • Norwegian drivers are crossing the border in large numbers to take advantage of the cheaper fuel, with some filling up canisters as well.
  • The Swedish price reduction, effective until November 30, makes gasoline the cheapest in the EU, according to price comparison sites.

A recent Swedish tax reduction on gasoline and diesel has made fuel prices in the border town of Strömstad the cheapest in Europe, drawing a significant influx of Norwegian drivers.

We beat you in football but today you really beat us in the price of gasoline.

— Fredrik StensrødA Norwegian gas station owner comments on the price difference between Norway and Sweden.

Since July 1, the Swedish tax on gasoline and diesel has been lowered by three kronor per liter until November 30. This has led to prices in Strömstad, like at Circle K where Jasmine Ohlsson works, being nearly five kronor cheaper per liter than in Halden, Norway, where Fredrik Stensrød sells fuel for 19.05 kronor per liter.

They started calling already this morning to check if it really was true that the prices in Sweden had dropped as much as they heard. Some are also bringing canisters.

— Jasmine OhlssonA gas station attendant in Strömstad describes the reaction of Norwegian customers to the lower fuel prices.

Norwegian customers have been calling stations since the morning to confirm the price drop. Many are crossing the border not only to fill their tanks but also to purchase additional fuel in canisters. At the OKQ8 station in Nordby, near the Norwegian border, pumps were constantly busy, with most vehicles displaying Norwegian license plates.

I have probably filled about 60 liters. In Halden, I saw on the signs that it was 19.19 per liter. This way, I have probably saved about 300 kronor.

— Terje MagnusenA Norwegian driver explains his savings after filling up his car in Sweden.

With E95 gasoline priced at 14.24 kronor per liter and diesel at 15.99 kronor at some Swedish stations on Wednesday, prices could be found as low as 13.99 kronor. This is significantly lower than the EU average and even cheaper than Malta, which was previously the least expensive at 14.85 kronor per liter, according to recent data. Norwegian media have highlighted the Swedish price change, prompting drivers like Terje Magnusen from Hønefoss to drive to Strömstad, saving approximately 300 kronor on a 60-liter fill-up.

I had read about your new prices on a Norwegian news site, and we are taking the opportunity to shop for other things too.

— Bente OhnstadA Norwegian customer explains why she and her husband are shopping in Sweden.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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