ITALY NEWS

Pains at the pump

Gas prices hit record high
(issue no. 168/2012 / September 13, 2012)

Driving in Italy, especially in Tuscany, became more expensive this summer as petrol prices hit a record of 2 euro a litre last August. The most expensive gas prices were recorded in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.

 

 

According to the 2010-2011 National Income of Infrastructure and Transport report, the cost of owning a motor vehicle in Italy has more than doubled in the last 20 years, reaching a national total of 103.7 billion euro in 2010. The costs of fuel have accounted for almost half of the total expenditure, and petrol prices have increased by 170 percent.

 

The data is confirmed by Quotidiano Energia, which monitors petrol and energy prices. Findings indicate that the regions that have enacted local excise taxes are paying for petrol at greater expense than the national average.

Tuscany is among these regions, having put into effect an additional excise duty of 5 cents to fund the repairs after the natural disasters that hit the Lunigiana and Elba Island in November 2011. However, in response to motorists' concerns, Tuscany's regional council has eliminated the 5-cent excise duty, bringing gas costs in line with the national average that ranges from approximately 1.80 to 1.90 euro a litre.

 

Tuscans will be seeing reduced petrol prices at the pump as of October 1, 2012, when the drop of the excise will go into effect.

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