Filling station without fuel – diesel is running out – price per liter is rising

The daily newspaper “Die Presse” reported on Wednesday that the diesel at individual gas stations had already run out. On the other hand, according to Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), there is “currently no shortage of stocks” for diesel and petrol. There are also no plans to release further oil reserves – but the situation is being reassessed every day and if necessary, the reserve will be reused “cautiously”, according to the minister.

Many refineries are currently inactive
Nevertheless, the offer may have stuttered in individual cases. The Mineralölverband (FVMI) is so far aware of a case in which a smaller gas station operator in Lower Austria was a bottleneck. The reasons for the diesel bottlenecks are many. On the one hand, the refinery accident in June at OMV is a burden. Since then, the refinery has only been running at a fraction of its actual capacity, but production has not come to a complete standstill thanks to a smaller plant. Full operation is not expected until after the summer. Other refineries in Europe are currently shut down for maintenance work. In addition, because of the planned oil embargo in the course of the Ukraine war, there are no imports from Russia.

The limited supply is exacerbated by increasing demand. This is due on the one hand to the end of the corona restrictions and on the other to the sharp increase in freight traffic in Europe in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine. “All these facts lead to a huge increase in demand and stockpiling by customers,” says Doloszeski. Against this background, refueling – whether diesel or petrol – is becoming increasingly expensive for consumers. Compared to June last year, prices for diesel and premium gasoline have increased by 67 and 61 percent, respectively, according to the ÖAMTC. That means an extra tax of about 40 euros per tank filling of 50 liters.

Mineral oil companies are making good money from the crisis
A price check by the Chamber of Labor (AK) comes to a similar conclusion. For a tank of 40 liters you currently pay 34 euros more for diesel and 33 euros more for premium petrol than a year ago. The oil price (Brent), on the other hand, has only risen by 30 percent since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. “There is much evidence that the mineral oil companies will continue to make unexpected profits in the form of increased margins – which would also explain their record profits,” the AK said.

Fuel in Italy, Slovenia or Croatia is significantly cheaper
Both associations demand that politicians intervene to regulate the massive price increases. The ÖAMTC and the AK are calling for a reduction in the tax on mineral oil and an increase in the mileage allowance for employees who make business trips with their own car. There should also be income-independent allowance for commuters. The motorists’ club also advises travelers to take advantage of the lower fuel prices abroad. Due to price caps and tax cuts, fuel is significantly cheaper in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia than in Austria.

The third president of the National Council, Norbert Hofer (FPÖ), argued in general for greater freedom of technology in connection with the diesel shortage. Too strict, dogmatic technology specifications would hurt the innovative power and create “dependencies with a high risk of failure”. Also with regard to the planned ban on combustion engines in the EU from 2035, “more realism” is needed on the part of the EU.