An advice to motorists? “Wait a few days before filling up. The time it takes for the excise discounts announced by the government to actually take effect.” Word of Romina Maurizi ( photo above ), director of Quotidiano Energia, one of the most authoritative observation points to understand what is happening in the sector and, above all, what are the effects of the crisis for motorists and consumers.
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Are gasoline prices actually dropping after government decisions?
“First of all, let’s try to clarify. The prices of fuels have started to fall since the beginning of last week, due to the sharp drops in prices on the international markets after a period of significant increases. Prices, however, remain on average above the 2 euros both in self service and served “.
So, the effect of the decree is not there yet?
“For now it is only an announcement. To become operational, it is necessary to wait for the publication of the decree in the Official Gazette. Only after that will the price of gasoline drop by 25 cents”.
The question that everyone asks is obviously this: when will we have the green under 2 euro?
“I repeat, we need to wait for the decree. Indeed, there could be two measures coming up. An inter-ministerial decree and a decree law that will come into force the day after its publication in the Gazzetta”.
So, today, who’s going to do the full, will it still find the old excise duties?
“Yes. Indeed, the cut in excise duties should be 20 cents even if the actual savings will be 25 cents because it also includes VAT. For all these details, however, we will have to wait for the final text of the decree”.
What is the best day to fill up with petrol?
“I would not fill up immediately. I would wait a few more days”.
Experience teaches us that companies are very fast when they have to trigger the increases and rather slow when they have to do the opposite: in this case, in your opinion, how long will we have to wait?
“The cut may not be immediate everywhere. Also because it has not yet been clarified what will happen to the fuels purchased with the old, more expensive excise duties. Since the decree becomes operational, it will be necessary to sell a product that, in fact, has devalued. Assopetroli, the sector association, has already asked the government for compensation “.
But doesn’t the cut in excise duties mean less revenues for operators too?
“No, it’s just the tax component of the price of gasoline, which goes entirely to the state.”
Will the discounts also take effect in the coming months?
“At the moment they will only be in force for thirty days from the publication of the decree. Then we’ll see.”
Wouldn’t a more structural intervention have been better? Maybe a three month cut?
“This is exactly what some consumer associations have asked for. But the government’s strategy in general on expensive energy has been that of small steps: more interventions to study the evolution of the market and take action”.
What will happen in the coming months?
“It is really difficult to make forecasts at the moment. Much will depend on the prices of oil, of refined products, on what will happen on international markets, more concerned about the evolution of the conflict in Ukraine than from the variables of supply and demand”.
Minister Cingolani has pointed his finger on speculation: are you right?
“I don’t think this is the time to make accusations. Instead, it is time for the government to pay attention to prices and the evolution of the situation to intervene and alleviate the effects of the crisis on consumers, families and businesses”.