Italy is taking measures to mitigate the impact of elevated fuel costs on its citizens, with the state-controlled energy company Eni implementing a 30-day cap on fuel prices at its stations. Effective as of Monday, the capped prices are set at €2.19 per litre for diesel and €1.99 for unleaded petrol, providing a reduction of around 17 cents per litre from the average levels recorded when the initiative was announced. This move comes in response to ongoing tensions linked to the Iran conflict, which have kept fuel costs high.
In a related development, truck drivers in Sicily have planned a five-day strike from October 16 to 20. The strike is a protest against high fuel prices and what they describe as insufficient government action to address their concerns. Taxi drivers have also expressed dissatisfaction with current fuel costs and have signaled the possibility of industrial action if the government does not engage with them for discussions.
Further efforts to alleviate fuel expenses are being observed across the industry, as Azerbaijan’s state-owned energy company SOCAR has announced plans to introduce similar fuel price limits at its IP petrol stations in Italy. These actions aim to lessen the financial burden on consumers amid rising fuel prices.
In addition to these company-led initiatives, the Italian government has taken steps to contain fuel costs by reducing diesel duties. However, this tax reduction is set to expire in early October, prompting concerns about the potential for increased fuel expenses once the measure lapses.