Fuel prices keep rising as Italy considers a short extension of the tax cut

Italy’s fuel prices are continuing to climb, with gasoline reaching 2.039 euros per liter and diesel 2.147 euros on the national road network. On motorways, the averages rose to 2.124 euros for gasoline and 2.221 euros for diesel.

The government’s 17-cent-per-liter tax reduction for diesel ends on Sept. 5. Officials are studying a four- or five-day extension financed through “mobile excise duties,” meaning the additional fuel-tax revenue generated as prices rise. The temporary measure would bridge the gap until a cabinet meeting next week, when ministers are expected to approve targeted aid for the groups hit hardest by higher fuel costs.

The National Consumers Union calculated that, over two days, filling a 50-liter tank on the road network became 85 cents more expensive for both gasoline and diesel. Consumer group Codacons said diesel would already cost 2.30 euros per liter on ordinary roads and nearly 2.40 euros on motorways without the tax reduction.

The energy publication Staffetta Quotidiana said the average gasoline price was the highest since July 2022. Diesel would also exceed its March 2022 record of 2.229 euros per liter without the discount. Finance officials are considering measures including fuel cards and sector-specific aid, as well as possible taxation of energy companies’ excess profits. Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani previously said the government wanted structural, targeted help for weaker households, the middle class and businesses, rather than a universal discount that benefits people who consume more fuel.

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Structural but targeted aid that can help especially the weaker groups, the middle class, and businesses.