Nearly 30 NOK per liter of fuel? Norway debates taxes and fees
Trygve Slagsvold Vedum is calling on the Conservative Party to extend the reduction of diesel taxes. The leader of the Centre Party (Sp) claims that without the current cuts, the average price of diesel in August would already be higher than in March. He is now urging Ine Eriksen Søreide to change her position.
Fuel is currently much more expensive than at the turn of winter and spring 2026.
Fot. Fotolia
The dispute concerns fuel prices after September 1. In March, the Centre Party, Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (KrF), and Progress Party (Frp) agreed to lower fuel taxes until that date. However, Høyre does not want to extend the solution. Vedum argues that after the reduction expires, drivers and businesses will feel a significant price increase.
Høyre refuses. Vedum warns of price increases
Søreide points to another solution. The leader of the Norwegian Conservatives believes that lower taxes would be a better approach, and further cuts to fuel fees should only be considered in a crisis situation. Vedum disagrees with this approach. In his opinion, the current diesel market situation already justifies further action.
The Sp leader points to possible consequences after the current reductions end. If the market price of diesel remains at its current level, after September 1 the cost increase will affect both households and businesses. Vedum mentions, among others, the construction, fishing, transport, and agriculture sectors. These are industries where fuel is one of the main operating costs.
The Sp leader points to possible consequences after the current reductions end. If the market price of diesel remains at its current level, after September 1 the cost increase will affect both households and businesses. Vedum mentions, among others, the construction, fishing, transport, and agriculture sectors. These are industries where fuel is one of the main operating costs.
Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (right) did not reach an agreement with the Labour Party and turned to the opposition.Photo: Labour Party press materials, Flickr.com (CC BY-ND 2.0)
27.50 NOK per liter. It was less in March
Vedum refers to data from bensinpris.net. According to this information, the average price of diesel without the tax reduction would have been 27.50 NOK per liter in August so far. In March, the average was 24.71 NOK per liter. The difference between these values is 2.79 NOK.
The website's data comes from fuel stations in large cities. The statistics are based on voluntary user submissions, so they show an indicative price level. Vedum compares these values with Høyre's position from March. He asks why the price of 24.71 NOK was then considered a crisis situation, while the current level is supposed to mean a return to normality.
The website's data comes from fuel stations in large cities. The statistics are based on voluntary user submissions, so they show an indicative price level. Vedum compares these values with Høyre's position from March. He asks why the price of 24.71 NOK was then considered a crisis situation, while the current level is supposed to mean a return to normality.
The current reductions are only valid until September 1. Without a change in Høyre's position, the four-party agreement from March will not be extended in its current form. Vedum is therefore directing his appeal directly to Søreide before the current cuts expire.
How do you rate this article?