Facua denounces that gas stations have not lowered the price of fuel as much as they should

The announcement of the VAT reduction on fuels from 21% to 10% just over a week ago, decreed by the Spanish government, has not had the expected effects, according to the consumer association Facua. This extraordinary measure, intended to cushion the impact of rising crude oil prices due to the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has made it possible to reduce the price of fuel (diesel and gasoline) and move it away from two euros per liter, but it has not had the desired real impact on the pockets of final consumers, according to Rubén Sánchez, spokesperson for Facua.The consumer association estimates that one in every four petrol stations took advantage of the entry into force of the decree that reduces the price of VAT on fuels to apply a hidden price increase, and criticizes the refusal of Pedro Sánchez's executive to set price caps on fuel or limit the final commercial margin of petrol stations on the final price.  

According to Rubén Sánchez, spokesperson for Facua, fuel prices should have decreased by “about 18 cents on average from the entry into force of the new decree regulating VAT on fuels”, but he warns that reality was different, as the actual reduction “was 16 cents on average” in fuel prices. This differential is what Facua denounces as a hidden increase in fuel prices and a speculative stratagem to increase commercial margin at a time of energy crisis with inflationary repercussions on the economy as a whole. In fact, Rubén Sánchez assures that “some petrol stations have maintained the same selling price as previous days or have even increased the price”, a move that allows them to keep the commercial margin from the VAT reduction.Facua's study is based on a database that includes all petrol stations in Spain thanks to its app to find cheaper petrol stations and its website which analyzes the daily price of fuels. This extensive database allows Facua's spokesperson to state that “two major petrol station chains raised their prices simultaneously on certain days”, a practice that would be contrary to free market competition. According to Rubén Sánchez, “it is very difficult to prove the existence of an agreement between petrol stations, but the evidence shows us that the price of fuel has increased by more than 50 cents in recent weeks”. In any case, the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has not opened any formal investigation, despite the complaint from various consumer associations.The most expensive Holy Week in history

The increase in the price of crude oil has made this the most expensive Easter in history to fill up vehicle tanks, a fact that is especially relevant when considering that around 17 million journeys will be made throughout Spain until April 6, according to DGT data.