Posted on10. June 2022, 04:14
Gasoline prices in Switzerland have exploded. The Swiss price monitor cannot rule out the possibility of the end consumer being defrauded by the oil industry.
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Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, gasoline prices have soared to over two francs per liter. This is hitting the Swiss hard at the gas station: the prices are too high for many.
20 min / Taddeo Cerletti
As a result, the Swiss price monitor also appeared on the floor. Now he is taking a closer look at the operators of gas stations. “Market observation is underway” – confirms the Vice Price Monitor Beat Niederhauser for up to 20 minutes. In particular: the Swiss Price Monitor checks that the market is not currently distorted.
20 minutes / Simon Glauser
In Switzerland, there are voices calling for something to be done with the high gasoline prices. To bring relief quickly, the ball is now in the hands of politicians. A possible relief for end consumers will be discussed next week in the parliament.
20 minutes / Simon Glauser
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, gasoline prices have soared to over two francs per liter. This hits the Swiss hard at the gas station. Other countries are also struggling with high gasoline costs. That is why Germany, France and Italy lowered the fuel tax.
In Switzerland too, phones are ringing to do something about the high gasoline prices. A study by 20 Minuten and Tamedia shows: 64 percent of Swiss people want lower taxes and charges on gasoline and other fuels.
“It may be that the prices charged are too high”
The discussion now brings the Swiss price monitor to the trading floor. Now he is taking a closer look at the operators of gas stations. “Market observation is underway” – confirms the Vice Price Monitor Beat Niederhauser for up to 20 minutes. In particular: the Swiss Price Monitor checks that the market is not currently distorted.
It can be assumed that the Swiss market is basically working. But so far it has been difficult to determine where it is cheapest to refuel. “That’s why it could be that the prices are too high,” says Niederhauser. So are we being cheated by the oil industry now? “We can’t rule it out. Hence the explanation, says Niederhauser.
Politicians want to relieve
To bring relief quickly, the ball is now in the hands of politicians. A possible relief for end consumers will be discussed next week in the parliament. The focus here is on reducing the mineral oil tax for a limited period of time. This is supported by the bourgeois parties of Mitte, the FDP and the SVP.
The Greens, however, do not want to know anything about the “watering can solution”. Green President Balthasar Glättli says: “It cannot be that the state has to release billions while oil companies take billions in profits at the same time.” In addition, the tank discount is a discount for the rich. “Logically, Züriberg tractor owners benefit disproportionately from the discount.”
Accusation against oil companies
It is outrageous for Glättli that prices have already been raised, even though there is still enough cheap gasoline in stock. “Consumers are more hairy than the world market warrants.” This is why, according to Glättli, oil companies make even more profits. “These are goddamn profits.”
Greenpeace sees it similarly. The green group says that the huge increase in prices at gas stations was largely due to higher margins from the oil companies. This shows a study published by Greenpeace in April. The study examined crude oil prices in EU countries in January and the first weeks of March – that is, before and after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
“Figures released by Avenergy itself show that they are ripping off the end consumer,” says Roland Gysin of Greenpeace, Switzerland. According to Avenergy, the price of crude oil in Switzerland increased by eight percent between February and April. In contrast, 95 lead-free petrol is down by almost ten percent and diesel by almost 16 percent, says Roland Gysin of Greenpeace Switzerland. “There is a clear gap. This is proof that profits are being wasted. “