Austria has extended its fuel price brake through the end of August, pairing the measure with a 1.9-cent-per-litre reduction in mineral oil tax aimed at easing costs for motorists.
The renewed framework requires petrol stations to pass on declines in international prices to consumers. A cap on profit margins remains suspended for now, though Economy and Energy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said price declines had been passed on more strongly than mandated. State Secretary Michaela Schmidt warned of risks from volatility in the Middle East, noting the government could introduce a statutory margin cap if conditions worsen.
Diesel prices recently topped two euros per litre nationally, while super petrol averaged just under 1.9 euros. The August tax cut is markedly larger than July's 0.8-cent relief.