Fuels: over 50% of distributors adhere to the price cap, but the increases weigh on families
Minister Urso celebrates adhering to the price ceiling, while the Mestre CGIA estimates a burden of 13.6 billion euros for families and businesses in 2026.
Quick Look
- Over 10 thousand Italian distributors (51.7%) have adopted the price cap on petrol and diesel.
- Despite the government initiative, the Mestre CGIA estimates an economic impact of 13.6 billion euros in 2026 due to price increases linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
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Why It Matters
The price cap on fuel was introduced to mitigate the increase in prices at the pump. The measure was supported by the Government and adopted by several oil companies.
Over 10 thousand distributors have joined the price cap on fuel, so much so as to exceed the 50 percent quota. In fact, 51.7 percent - according to what was announced by Mimit - are the plants where prices for petrol and diesel are respectively lower than 2 and 2.20 euros. This results from the latest data communicated to the Fuel Price Observatory, updated at 8 am today.
"A result far superior to forecasts: in a few days the price cap exceeded half of the national network", comments the Minister of Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso.
"A significant result, which confirms the validity of a model of social responsibility which can also represent an example in Europe". In absolute terms, there are 10,413 plants with petrol under 2 euros per litre, out of 20,141 detected, and 10,519 those with diesel under 2.20 euros, out of 20,147.
The price cap, initially introduced by Eni by accepting the Government's appeal, then saw the adhesion of IP-Socar, Q8 and Tamoil, rapidly extending across the national network and contributing to reducing the average price, which today on the road network has fallen to 2.052 euros per liter for petrol and 2.247 euros for diesel.
Price cap or not, the effects of the increases in diesel and petrol on everyone's spending will be devastating in 2026. According to estimates from the CGIA research office in Mestre, which compared the cost of filling up for the week just ended - around 2.1 euros for petrol and 2.3 euros for diesel, with the values practiced in the same week of 2025, the last before the US-Iran war - noting an increase of 29.1 percent for green fuel and 36.6 percent for diesel, the overall burden at a national level on families and businesses under “fuel expenses” is approximately 13.6 billion on an annual basis. To fill up, Italians will spend 1.1 billion more in October than in the same month last year.
The large metropolitan areas of the country will suffer the most, with Rome in the lead (+68.5 million euros), followed by Milan (+49.5), Naples (+39.6), Brescia (+31.2), Turin (+27.8) and Bari (+25.6). At a regional level, the most significant increases in absolute value will concern Lombardy (+163.9 million euros), Emilia Romagna (+111.1) and Veneto (+106.1).
The CGIA notes that until the conflict in the Middle East ends, it is difficult to imagine that prices at the pump will return to pre-crisis levels. Those who pay the highest price - he underlines - are commuters, especially those who live in areas poorly served by public transport and for whom the car is the only real alternative to reach work.
Open Questions
- How long will distributors' voluntary adherence to the price cap last?
- What further measures will the government take to combat energy inflation?
