Historic fuel price hikes in Norway. It is not just about taxes
Fuel prices in Norway rose by as much as 27.7 percent in September compared with August. This was the largest monthly increase in this category since measurements began. The record increase was caused not only by the end of tax relief measures, but also by higher pre-tax prices of petrol and diesel.
Fuel at Norwegian stations has been getting more expensive for several weeks.
Fot. Pixabay
The latest data show an exceptionally sharp rise in fuel prices. Statistics Norway (SSB) reported on 9 October that the September change was the largest in the history of measurements for this category. The increases coincided with a significant tax change. As of 1 September, temporary reductions in fuel taxes ceased to apply, further affecting prices.
Record fuel price increase. There has never been such a hike before
Fuel prices rose by 27.7 percent in just one month. According to SSB, such a large monthly change has never previously been recorded in this category of the consumer price index. The record concerns the period from August to September 2026. It is the largest increase recorded in the history of these measurements.
Both petrol and diesel became more expensive. SSB indicates that the prices of both fuels rose between August and September even before taxes were added, increasing the scale of the final price hike. However, this was not the only factor. Prices were also affected by the end of temporary tax relief measures that had been in force until the end of August.
Both petrol and diesel became more expensive. SSB indicates that the prices of both fuels rose between August and September even before taxes were added, increasing the scale of the final price hike. However, this was not the only factor. Prices were also affected by the end of temporary tax relief measures that had been in force until the end of August.
Record-high fuel price inflation, amounting to 27.7 percent from August to September, contributed to an increase in the CPI.Photo: CC0
End of tax cuts. Fuel prices went up
The change took place on 1 September 2026. On that day, temporary reductions in fuel taxes expired, while the simultaneous increase in pre-tax petrol and diesel prices further deepened the price hikes. Both factors occurred in the same month. As a result, the September increase in fuel prices reached a level that had not previously been recorded in Norwegian statistics.
More expensive fuel also affected inflation. SSB states that the record increase in fuel prices contributed to a rise in the consumer price index, which in September was 3.4 percent higher than a year earlier. Compared with August, the index rose by 0.5 percent. Despite the sharp jump in fuel prices, the annual inflation rate increased by only 0.1 percentage points compared with the previous month.
More expensive fuel also affected inflation. SSB states that the record increase in fuel prices contributed to a rise in the consumer price index, which in September was 3.4 percent higher than a year earlier. Compared with August, the index rose by 0.5 percent. Despite the sharp jump in fuel prices, the annual inflation rate increased by only 0.1 percentage points compared with the previous month.
SSB did not provide separate data on the percentage increase in petrol and diesel prices. Nor did it specify what portion of the record increase resulted from the end of tax relief measures and what portion came from higher pre-tax prices. The 27.7 percent figure refers to the entire fuel category, rather than the prices of individual products at filling stations.
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