Petrol Usage and Pricing in Europe
Most European countries have high fuel taxes. The prices have traditionally been three to four times the price in the United States, with prices during 2000-2005 of €1,00/litre (about US$1.42/l or $5.40/USgal) while the US had prices around $1.50/USgal or $0.40/l. After a large increase until the summer of 2008, the end of 2008 experienced a strong decline linked with a sharp economic downturn, with the average price of fuel in the U.S. at $1.613/USgal (December 29, 2008). However, the price of fuel in Europe is still more than double the US price at €1.85/litre. Russia and some neighboring countries have a much smaller tax, with fuel prices similar to the US.
Competitive Petrol pricing in the UK is led by supermarkets with their own forecourts.Generally each supermarket tends to match the other's prices; the lead players being Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrison's. In recent years the AA has criticized the speculators as being the prime reason for fuel fluctuations in the UK .
Read more about this topic: Gasoline And Diesel Usage And Pricing
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