Spanish haulage association Fenadismer has accused fuel stations of failing to pass on the full value of a new diesel tax rebate to consumers, according to a report by Ruta del Transporte. The group is now calling for official audits of fuel pricing to determine where the discount went.
The accusation follows the introduction of a 20-cent-per-litre tax cut on diesel, which was intended to lower costs for professional drivers and the public. However, Fenadismer claims that pump prices have not dropped by the expected amount, suggesting that stations are absorbing part of the benefit as extra margin rather than passing it on.
Separate reporting from El Correo and eleconomista.es supports the concern, noting that diesel prices have only fallen by around six cents at the pump despite the larger fiscal reduction. Transport operators and drivers have publicly criticised the discrepancy, saying the relief measure is not reaching those it was designed to help.
The situation is complicated by broader market movements. Expansión reports that oil prices are currently rising, which could offset some of the intended savings from the tax cut. In the Basque region, El Diario Vasco has observed queues at fuel stations and a notable shift, with petrol sales overtaking diesel as consumers respond to the pricing changes.
Fenadismer’s demand for audits suggests the dispute is likely to escalate, with the association pressing for transparency on how fuel retailers calculate their prices. Whether the government will act on the request remains unclear, but the issue highlights ongoing tension between transport groups and the fuel retail sector over the effectiveness of state subsidies.
The coming weeks will show whether audits are ordered and if pump prices adjust closer to the promised reduction.
