Slovenia has become the first EU member state to implement rationing(Image: Getty)
Slovenia has become the first EU nation to implement fuel rationing in the wake of the US- Iran conflict. This follows US-Israeli attacks and Iranian counterstrikes in the Gulf – home to many of the world’s major energy market players.
These events have led to a surge in fuel prices affecting numerous countries and have seen the markets become increasingly volatile. This situation sparked “fuel tourism” in Slovenia, with motorists from neighbouring countries, notably Austria, visiting to take advantage of lower, regulated prices, reports the Express.
The new restrictions imposed by Slovenia stipulate that private drivers in Slovenia will be limited to a maximum purchase of 50 litres per day. Businesses and farmers, however, are permitted to buy up to 200 litres daily.
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Over the weekend, Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob said: “Let me reassure you that there is enough fuel in Slovenia, the warehouses are full and there will be no fuel shortages.”
Price of fuel continues to rise across the globe(Image: Getty)
His government’s measures are expected to be enforced by petrol stations themselves, with staff responsible for ensuring customers do not exceed the maximum fuel allowance.
Fuel retailers are also being urged to impose stricter limits on foreign drivers.
These new regulations come as some fuel retailers have already implemented measures. Hungary’s MOL, which runs petrol stations nationwide, has introduced a limit of 30 litre per day.
In Austria, a litre of Euro-super 95 petrol is hitting €1.80 (£1.56), whilst diesel approaches the €2 threshold. In Slovenia it remains considerably cheaper with a ceiling of €1.47 and €1.53 respectively.
Nevertheless, these prices are anticipated to increase on Tuesday, March 24.
A lorry driver at Sentilj, near Slovenia’s northern frontier with Austria, informed local media it appears as though there is uncertainty about whether his country is “at war” with filling stations running dry.
The man said: “I’ve never experienced anything like this before”.
The BBC reports that this sentiment is widespread across the nation. Numerous Austrian motorists believe the price gap is sufficient to warrant making a cross-border journey to refuel.
Leader of the far right Freedom Party, Austrian politician Herbert Kickl, has been documenting his refuelling excursions as a form of political propaganda, sharing a photograph of a line of Austrian-registered vehicles queuing to fill up at a Slovenian filling station.
“Isn’t this sad,” he posted, “that we live in a country where it has become necessary for many to go abroad so that life is cheaper?”
It has been reported that some Slovenians view the visitors as a nuisance, contributing to queues and creating shortages for residents.
Yet, some are more receptive, observing that “fuel tourists” frequently make a day of their journey, spending money in local eateries and shops.