Petrol exceeds 1.9 euros per litre: first time in two years

Context

In brief

• Petrol at 1.926 euros/litre self-service
• Diesel at 2.044 euros/litre self-service
• 6 cent increase for petrol

Key facts

• What: Average fuel prices
• When: 5 May 2026
• Where: National road and motorway network
• Who: Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy
• Amount: 1.926 euros/litre for self-service petrol

The price of petrol continues to rise. Today, 5 May 2026, for the first time in two years, it exceeds the 1.9 euro per litre mark. Diesel slightly decreases, remaining just over four cents above two euros, while LPG is at 82 cents per litre. The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy reports that, based on the latest data collected by the Mimit Fuel Prices Observatory, today the average price of fuels in 'self-service' mode along the national road network is 1.926 euros/l for petrol and 2.044 euros/l for diesel. On the motorway network, however, the average self-service price is 1.981 euros/l for petrol and 2.114 euros/l for diesel.

Details by sales method and brand

According to the usual survey by Staffetta Quotidiana, IP has increased the recommended prices of petrol by 6 cents per litre and reduced those of diesel by four. For Q8, we record a one-cent decrease on petrol, and for Tamoil, a one-cent decrease on diesel. Coming to the details by sales method and brand based on data collected at 8 am yesterday morning, considering all the approximately 20,000 service stations that communicate prices to the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy's Price Observatory (road and motorway network together), these are the average prices practiced, elaborated by Staffetta:

• Self-service petrol at 1.901 euros/litre (companies 1.916, white pumps 1.872)
• Self-service diesel at 2.049 euros/litre (companies 2.054, white pumps 2.040)
• Served petrol at 2.024 euros/litre (companies 2.072, white pumps 1.936)
• Served diesel at 2.187 euros/litre (companies 2.228, white pumps 2.108)
• Served LPG at 0.821 euros/litre (companies 0.834, white pumps 0.808)
• Served methane at 1.573 euros/kg (companies 1.572, white pumps 1.573)
• LNG 1.525 euros/kg (companies 1.541 euros/kg, white pumps 1.513 euros/kg)

On self-service petrol, Eni is at 1.944 euros/litre (2.126 served); IP at 1.899 (2.056 served); Q8 at 1.918 (2.042 served); Tamoil at 1.923 (1.986 served); on self-service diesel, Eni is at 2.045 (2.256 served); IP at 2.070 (2.236 served); Q8 at 2.053 (2.221 served) and Tamoil at 2.046 (2.129 served).

Impact on cross-border workers

The increase in petrol prices has a significant impact on cross-border workers who daily cross the border between Italy and Switzerland. With petrol prices exceeding 1.9 euros per litre, transportation costs rise, affecting household budgets. For cross-border workers who use their car to commute to work in Switzerland, fuel costs represent a significant expense. Furthermore, fuel costs also affect freight transport, with possible repercussions on consumer goods prices.

Comparison with the previous situation

Before the increase, the average price of gasoline was below 1.9 euros per liter. With the current increase, cross-border workers have to deal with an additional cost for fuel refueling. For example, for a 50-liter refueling, the additional cost is approximately 8.60 euros on the highway and 8.52 euros on the average road. This increase can have a significant impact on the monthly budget of cross-border worker families, especially those with multiple vehicles or long daily commutes.

Future Scenarios

If the trend of rising prices continues, cross-border workers may be forced to review their travel habits. Some may opt for alternative means of transport, such as carpooling or public transport, to reduce transportation costs. Others may consider purchasing vehicles that are more efficient in terms of consumption. Furthermore, the increase in fuel prices could push cross-border workers to request salary increases or additional benefits to compensate for the increase in transportation costs.

Conclusions

The increase in the price of gasoline represents a challenge for cross-border workers, who have to deal with higher transportation costs. It is important that cross-border workers carefully monitor fuel prices and evaluate any alternative solutions to reduce transportation costs. Moreover, it is crucial that employers in Switzerland are aware of the impact that the increase in fuel prices can have on their cross-border worker employees and consider any support measures.

Operational details

Analysis of Practical Implications

The increase in gasoline prices has a significant impact on cross-border workers who daily cross the border between Italy and Switzerland. With gasoline prices exceeding 1.9 euros per liter, transportation costs rise, affecting family budgets. For cross-border workers who use their cars to commute to work in Switzerland, fuel costs represent a significant expense. Additionally, fuel costs also affect freight transport, with potential repercussions on consumer goods prices.

Comparison with the Previous Situation

Before the increase, the average price of gasoline was below 1.9 euros per liter. With the current rise, cross-border workers must account for an additional cost for fuel refills. For example, for a 50-liter refill, the additional cost is approximately 8.60 euros on highways and 8.52 euros on average roads. This increase can significantly impact the monthly budgets of cross-border worker families, especially those with multiple vehicles or long daily commutes.

Future Scenarios

If the trend of rising prices continues, cross-border workers may be forced to reconsider their travel habits. Some might opt for alternative transportation methods, such as carpooling or public transport, to reduce transportation costs. Others might consider purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles. Furthermore, the rise in fuel prices could push cross-border workers to request salary increases or additional benefits to offset the higher transportation costs.

Practical Solutions

For cross-border workers who use their cars to commute to work, it is important to carefully monitor fuel prices and look for any available offers or discounts. Additionally, it is possible to consider using mobile applications that allow finding the service stations with the lowest prices. Another solution could be to plan routes to minimize the kilometers traveled, for example by using alternative routes or sharing the car with other cross-border workers.

Impact on Freight Transport

The increase in fuel prices also affects freight transport, with potential repercussions on consumer goods prices. Cross-border workers in the freight transport sector must deal with higher operating costs, which can influence the profitability of their activities. It is important that employers are aware of this situation and consider any support measures for their employees.

Conclusions

The increase in gasoline prices represents a challenge for cross-border workers, who must deal with higher transportation costs. It is important that cross-border workers carefully monitor fuel prices and evaluate any alternative solutions to reduce transportation costs. Additionally, it is crucial that employers in Switzerland are aware of the impact that the rise in fuel prices can have on their cross-border worker employees and consider any support measures.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to do for cross-border workers

For cross-border workers who use their car to commute to Switzerland, it's important to closely monitor fuel prices and look for any available offers or discounts. Additionally, you can consider using mobile apps that allow you to find service stations with the lowest prices. Another solution could be to plan your routes to minimize the kilometers traveled, for example by using alternative routes or sharing the car with other cross-border workers.

Concrete steps

1. Monitor fuel prices: Use mobile apps or websites that allow you to compare fuel prices at different service stations. 2. Plan your routes: Plan your routes to minimize the kilometers traveled, for example by using alternative routes or sharing the car with other cross-border workers. 3. Consider alternative means of transport: Evaluate the use of alternative means of transport, such as carpooling or public transport, to reduce transport costs. 4. Request salary increases or additional benefits: If the increase in fuel prices has a significant impact on the family budget, you can request salary increases or additional benefits to compensate for the increase in transport costs.

Useful tools

For cross-border workers who want to monitor fuel prices and plan their routes efficiently, you can use tools like the fuel cost calculator or the fuel price comparator. These tools allow you to compare fuel prices at different service stations and plan your routes to minimize the kilometers traveled.

Conclusions

The increase in the price of gasoline represents a challenge for cross-border workers, who have to deal with higher transport costs. It is important that cross-border workers closely monitor fuel prices and consider any alternative solutions to reduce transport costs. Furthermore, it is essential that employers in Switzerland are aware of the impact that the increase in fuel prices can have on their cross-border worker employees and consider any support measures.

For more information and useful tools, visit our website Frontaliere Ticino.

Source: varesenoi.it