Gasoline prices rose for the first time this summer, reaching an average of 1.594 euros per liter, even as a 20-cent discount from the state helped blunt the impact. Diesel also climbed, with an average price of 1.682 euros per liter. These figures come from the European Union Petroleum Bulletin, which tracks the average price at more than 11,400 Spanish service stations during the week of August 23 to 29. Even with the public discount, prices remain under the 2 euro per liter threshold, signaling a market in flux but not yet reaping the full leap in cost that some observers feared.
Over the past seven days, gasoline prices have edged up by 0.5 percent, a shift that coincides with the holiday traffic operation aimed at facilitating the return from summer travel. Diesel shows a stronger weekly rise of about 4 percent, signaling a broader trend in fuel costs as supply dynamics and demand patterns shift during late summer.
Despite this uptick, both fuels are trading at levels that are similar to those seen in early April before the Easter holiday. Diesel, in particular, has not deviated significantly from the price seen in mid-May, suggesting a period of price stability amid a backdrop of volatile energy markets.
Historically, both fuels had been subject to government interventions, including a 20-cent-per-liter subsidy that applied to all consumers and continued through the end of the year. The subsidy did not prevent weekly price peaks, but it did temper the immediate market impact, creating a cushion for drivers as prices fluctuated across different weeks.
The ongoing rise in prices since early 2022 has been widely documented, a trend amplified by geopolitical events that have disrupted energy markets. The conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions have contributed to higher raw material costs, with gasoline costs rising by around 8 percent from the first week of January, while diesel has shown a slightly larger increase, reflecting its sensitivity to supply disruptions and demand in heavy transport sectors. These dynamics continue to shape consumer prices as markets adjust to new equilibria.
At current levels, filling a typical 55-liter petrol tank costs roughly 88 euros, whereas a diesel fill would approach 93 euros. This translates to an approximate difference of 7 euros in favor of petrol for a standard fill, with diesel remaining the more expensive option overall. The gap underscores how fuel type, subsidy effects, and market conditions interact to influence household budgeting for mobility across Spain and neighboring markets.
Even after discounts, Spanish fuel prices stay below the European average. EU statistics for the most recent week show an average of around 1.782 euros per liter for gasoline and about 1.911 euros per liter for diesel, illustrating a relative affordability within the broader European context while still leaving consumers sensitive to policy changes and global energy trends. These figures reflect ongoing price discovery in the European energy market and highlight the interplay between national subsidies, regional taxation, and cross-border energy flows that affect everyday drivers.
Note: These observations pull from the EU Petroleum Bulletin data covering the late August period and the broader price environment. They illustrate how subsidies, market pressures, and international events combine to shape the daily cost of fuel for households and fleets alike. Citations reflect the EU’s official energy statistics and market summaries, which are used to inform policy discussions and consumer decisions across Europe and beyond.