Fuel Prices in the First Half of the Year in Free Fall
During the holiday season, more fuel is consumed than usual - Austrians prefer to travel on vacation with their own car. Fuel costs are an important part of the travel budget. The average prices for gasoline and diesel have decreased in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year - despite recent price increases due to the war between Israel and Iran, as shown in the fuel price report of the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ).
Decrease in Diesel and Eurosuper
Amid general inflation of just over 3 percent, the price for a liter of diesel fell by an average of 11 cents to 1.54 euros in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. This is the lowest value in a long time - in the entire year of 2024, the average value reached 1.60 euros, after 1.64 euros in 2023 and 1.82 euros in 2022. Eurosuper was 7 cents cheaper in the first half of 2025 than in the same period last year, also reaching a long-term low. In the entire year of 2024, the average price was 1.57 euros, 1.59 euros in 2023, and 1.73 euros in 2022.
This June was actually on track to become the cheapest refueling month of the current year - because until mid-month, especially the diesel price dropped significantly again and was mostly below 1.50 euros per liter according to VCÖ. The war between Israel and Iran then prevented this - the increase in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East was also noticeably reflected at domestic gas stations.
According to the mobility club ÖAMTC, the liter prices for gasoline increased by 6 cents, and those for diesel by 9 cents. By the middle of last week, the prices for both types were over 1.55 euros: diesel cost an average of 1.569 euros, super 1.556 euros per liter. With a ceasefire and the associated calming of the markets, fuel prices should decrease again, according to the ÖAMTC.
Hardly Any Fluctuations Along Highways
The prices along the highways hardly fluctuated - they were consistently higher at around 2 euros per liter. Those who want to proceed more cheaply should refuel elsewhere. According to VCÖ, those traveling to Italy should refuel in Austria. This is because in Italy, fuel was more expensive in the first half of the year. At 1.65 euros, about 11 cents more had to be paid for a liter of diesel on average in the first half of the year, while Eurosuper was even 23 cents more expensive at 1.76 euros.
To relieve the population while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a reduction in vehicle fuel consumption would contribute, according to VCÖ. "At the EU level, there need to be requirements for manufacturers to significantly reduce vehicle consumption. In Austria, incentives for purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles need to be increased," said VCÖ expert Michael Schwendinger.
However, consumption can also be reduced by 15 to 20 percent through one's own driving behavior, emphasized the transport club. Particularly effective is gliding instead of speeding, meaning reducing speed and driving predictably and evenly. Quickly shifting to the next higher gear to drive at low revs also saves fuel, as does driving more slowly on the highway.
Austria Behind Denmark in Electric Cars
According to VCÖ, Austria needs more speed in increasing the share of electric cars. While around 22 percent of new cars were electric in the first five months of this year, the share in Denmark was three times as high at around 66 percent.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.