End of tank tourism?
Austria introduces CO₂ tax
Created: 10/04/2022, 10:30 am
By: Thomas Eldersch
Petrol and diesel usually cost more than two euros per liter here in Bavaria.
So many drove to our neighbors in Austria to fill up.
Munich – The money is currently leaving the wallet faster than it is coming in.
High gas and energy prices, inflation and the gas stations are not looking any better.
For many Bavarians - who are lucky enough to live close to the border with Austria or the Czech Republic - they regularly go abroad.
One speaks of so-called tank tourism.
However, this could soon come to a standstill in Austria.
Tank tourism in Austria: Soon it will no longer be worth driving to our neighbors.
© Felix Kästle/dpa/symbol image
Austria introduces CO₂ tax – are tank tourists staying away now?
Starting tomorrow, October 1st, driving to the gas station in our southern neighbors will be virtually obsolete.
The reason is the introduction of the CO₂ tax.
From Saturday, the ton of climate-damaging gas in Austria will cost 30 euros.
Then the price is gradually increased every year, as in Germany.
Surcharges of 8.6 cents per liter of petrol and 9.9 cents per liter of diesel are therefore to be expected at the pump for the time being, according to calculations by the economic institute Wifo.
According to the latest EU price overview, petrol in Austria recently cost an average of around 1.679 euros and diesel around 1.917 euros per liter.
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In the land of the mountains, like here, people are also struggling with high energy prices.
That is why the conservative-green government postponed the introduction of the CO₂ tax by three months from July to October.
The new climate bonus will be financed with the revenue as a relief measure.
This year's payment to everyone living in Austria is a flat rate of 250 euros.
From 2023, the amount depends on the availability of public transport.
In big cities you get 100 euros, in the country up to 200 euros.
Traveling by train and bus should be rewarded.
Will the Czech Republic become the new tank tourism paradise?
With Austria out of the equation, another neighboring state of Bavaria could benefit.
In the Czech Republic, fuel costs even a little less than in the Alpine republic.
The ADAC gives an average price for a liter of petrol of 1.53 euros for September 30th.
The diesel is 1.75 euros per liter.
However, for safety reasons, the automobile club advises not to carry more than ten liters of fuel in reserve canisters.
(phone with dpa)
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