Fuel prices are again breaking records. Still, it is unlikely that the Dutch will leave their car at home significantly more often. That is the opinion of fuel expert Paul van Selms of United Consumers.
The price of petrol again set a new record on Tuesday: €2,151 per litre. The diesel price also went to an unprecedented high last week: €1.842 per liter. The assumption is, however, that motorists do not drive less than a meter. The relationship between fuel prices and car use has never been properly researched, according to fuel collective United Consumers and the ANWB, but it is unlikely that it will make a significant difference: “I think people would rather eat no meat once a week than that they drive less,” says United Consumers fuel expert Paul van Selms, according to the AD. “We are already driving less because of corona. We do not see that people drive less because fuel prices are higher. A large part of the kilometers are a primary necessity of life. If you have to go to work, you have to go to work. is driven, then there must be structurally higher prices, but even if the price were to rise to €3 per liter, that would not change much in car use.”
On average, 13,000 kilometers per year was driven per car before corona. With a consumption of 1 in 15, that costs 866 liters of petrol. Petrol is now roughly 50 cents per liter more expensive than in 2020, so the average car driver will pay €433 extra per year in fuel if the current high price continues. Van Selms does not foresee a major fall in prices in the near future and does not rule out the possibility that prices will rise further. Tensions surrounding Ukraine are keeping energy prices high.
The Average National MSRP may reach alarmingly high levels, but it pays off enormously to look for cheap local gas stations. Van Selms points out that the suggested retail prices are only asked along the highways. If you pay attention, you can still refuel under €2 per liter in many places. In fact, at dozens of self-service stations, the petrol price (E10) is below €1.90, refueling diesel for €1.60 per liter should also work.
EV driver also hit
People with an electric car may seem to have escaped the dance, but they too are feeling the high energy prices. At a charging station, the price of a kilowatt hour of electricity now fluctuates between 24 and 50 cents, with a fast charger it can go up to 80 cents. The Consumers’ Association calls the charging prices ‘not transparent’ in a new study. It is often unclear how much charging costs. A new law, which will take effect on 1 June, will oblige operators to disclose information about tariffs. It must then be clear on the charging station or in the app what the charging rate is.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl