The changes that have been made automobile market In recent years, a strong Decline in registrations of diesel passenger cars The increase in gasoline or hybrid engines is also starting to be noticed at gas stations. This marks the first time since the end of the pandemic that restrictions have caused an overall decline in sales of all types of fuel Diesel consumption decreased in the province last yearDespite the improvement in economic activity representing a change in trend.
In particular, according to the latest data from the Strategic Petroleum Products (Core) Reserves Authority, between January and October 2023, approximately 470 gas stations in the region supplied up to 521,650 tonnes of diesel A for automotive purposes. , well Decrease of 30,383 tons – 5.5%– approximately the same period of the previous year.
This is an even more important fact if we consider that the sale of this fuel still continues. they were not fully healed The story of the setback they experienced with the arrival of coronavirus in 2020. In this way, the current figure is approximately 10% below the usual figure before the pandemic.
A situation that contradicts what happened gasoline 95He managed to overcome the collapse in just a year, and since then his growth has not stopped. Thus, in the first ten months of last year, Alicante service stations shipped 225,915 tons of this fuel. It is 8% more than in the same period in 2022 and up to 23% more than in 2019.
Records
These changes are reflected on a large scale. Increasing market share loss in diesel engines It is among the new records that have occurred in recent years, as pointed out by both the Federation of Mediterranean Service Stations and the Spanish Association of Petroleum Products Operators, which brings together major energy companies.
A trend that started before the pandemic, Restrictions that many cities have started to implement It led to the circulation of the most polluting models, but this subsequently worsened. Thus, only 7.2% of all new passenger cars and SUVs sold in Alicante last year were diesel, and this figure continues to fall. This means that the total number of diesel vehicles in the province begins to decrease as old vehicles are withdrawn from circulation.
In this context, the main regional service stations association has been operating for most of the year – and contrary to the historical trend – The price of diesel will rise above that of gasoline.
Along the same lines, it is worth remembering that the majority. hybrid vehicles Those sold – those whose registrations have increased the most in recent years – often also have a gasoline engine, which has contributed to the promotion of this fuel.
Professional
On the other hand, the association that brings together major Spanish oil companies points out that another reason for the decline in diesel sales is oil. higher efficiency of new enginesThis means lower consumption. This is something that is especially noticeable in professional transport fleets, which use this fuel the most and account for the bulk of their sales.
Despite all of the above, we cannot ignore the influence of other social trends; remote workThe increased use of public transport, which has reduced the travel of many professionals or as a result of the increase in fuel prices due to the war in Ukraine and subsidies approved by different administrations.
Fuel will be cheaper at New Year’s Eve
Fuel prices started 2024 below the levels recorded a year ago. For gasoline 95, an average of 1,559 euros per liter is paid in the state; This is 4% less than in the same period in 2023. The decrease in diesel A, paid at 1,472 euros, is much more obvious. % less than a year ago, according to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition.