Indicator Fact Sheet

Fuel prices and taxes

Indicator Fact Sheet

Prod-ID: IND-114-en

Also known as: TERM 021

This is an old version, kept for reference only.

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Topics: Transport

This page was archived on 26 Aug 2017 with reason: A new version has been published

Assessment made on 01 Oct 2003

Generic metadata

Classification

Topics:

Transport

DPSIR: Driving force

Identification

Indicator codes

TERM 021

Contents

Policy issue: Fair and efficient pricing across modes

Figures

Index of real average EU-15 prices including excise taxes and VAT of diesel, petrol (weighted average leaded/unleaded) and weighted average of petrol and diesel, over the period 1980-2002 (January 1986 = 100)

Key assessment

The inflation-corrected EU average price of road fuel has decreased by about 10-15 % since the first half of the 1980s, resulting in an increase in fuel demand and GHG emissions. Petrol became about 15-20 % cheaper, diesel about 10 % more expensive, primarily due to higher diesel taxes. In rail transport, fuel taxes are much lower; inland and seaborne shipping and aviation pay no fuel tax at all.