The mystery of the price of gasoline

We are in the middle of August and the asphalt burns, not just by the sun. The massive holiday displacements reach their peak and thousands of drivers look sideways at the fuel marker before embarking. In a summer marked by energy volatility, the cost of filling the deposit is again the protagonist, with ups and downs that depend on both the global and the gas station that is chosen.

A fall that barely feels. According to the latest data from the European Union Petroleum Bulletinthe average price in Spain is 1,483 euros per liter for 95 and 1,424 euros for diesel. Testimonial declines are: 0.2 less for gasoline and 0.8 cents for diesel compared to the previous week. In the supplier, the difference is practically imperceptible.

Compared to a year ago, savings is more visible – a 7.3% less in gasoline and 2.8% in diesel – but filling today an average 55 -liter deposit continues to hover the 81 euros in gasoline and 78 in diesel. And, as a Facua study recalls cited by the countrythat invoice depends so much or more on the gas station than on the international market: reposting diesel in Murcia can cost up to 79 more cents per liter between the most expensive and cheapest station.

Factors that press up. At the international level, the price of Brent crude – reference in Europe – is around $ 67.27 per barrel. OPEC+ has announced which will increase the offer in 547,000 barrels per day as of September, but this type of movements takes to reflect in the suppliers.

Within Spain, electricity remains an inflationary engine. The INE has confirmed That the IPC rose to 2.7%, its highest level since February, due to a price increase of 17.3% and, to a lesser extent, of fuels. Transportation, which includes fuels, plane tickets and combined passenger transport, also rose 0.2%. Facua has warned in a report for the country That price disparity is not a matter of quality, but of competition, location and commercial margins.

The risk of calm will last little. The Savings Banks Foundation (Funcas) provides that inflation reaches 3% in September, As detailed in the voice of Galicia. If it is fulfilled, that pressure could be transferred back to gasoline and diesel, especially in a context where electricity and food continue to take care after the end of the VAT reduction. The Ministry of Economy insists that the Spanish economy maintains “a strong dynamism” and that employment and salary increases cushion the impact, but for the average driver the sensation is another: pay the same – or more – for each kilometer.

Beyond refueling. In this context, choosing well where to refuel can be a remarkable savings. Tools like The Facua search engine They allow to locate the most economical stations in each area. Even so, reposting in Spain is still somewhat cheaper than in much of Europe. The difference is around 14 cents per liter in gasoline and about 13 cents in diesel in front of the EU average, and reaches 20 cents if compared to the euro zone.

Glimpseing the rebound. The slight price drop in August does not change the general photo: the fuel is still expensive and the forces that push it up there are still there. The relief, if it can be called that, could be just an intermediate before the score rises again. In August, as important as choosing fate is to decide where and when to fill the tank.

Image | Pxhere

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