Eni's effect on fuel prices is being felt, but only minimally. This is especially true in Sardinia, the worst region for decreasing average diesel prices . The 136 Enilive distributors, plus the IP ones that have joined the Italian oil giant's initiative to cap the price of diesel (2.19 euros per liter) and gasoline (1.99), are too few to provide relief to the Sardinians.

According to Mimit data, the average price of diesel is €2.396 per liter, compared to €2.398 yesterday. This means that for a 50-liter tank, Sardinians spend an average of 10 cents less . This is a national black sheep. Gasoline isn't much better: the average price today is €2.165 per liter, compared to €2.168 yesterday. For a 50-liter tank, you save just 15 cents . In this ranking, Sardinia is second to last, bettered only by Valle d'Aosta, where the saving for a tank is 10 cents.

The region with the greatest price reductions is Friuli, with savings of 1.30 cents and 1.20 cents, respectively, for both diesel and gasoline. Lazio and Abruzzo follow suit for both fuels.

Sardinia, explains the National Consumers' Union, suffers from a significantly reduced presence of Enilive stations . But even in Lombardy, where Eni has a strong presence, the effect on average prices has been limited: the region ranks mid-table, with a saving of 35 cents on a full diesel tank and 30 cents on a full gasoline tank.

"The initiative is useful and positive, especially for those who live near or work near an Eni station," says UNC President Massimiliano Dona. It could also have a knock-on effect, encouraging other companies—given the expected decline in sales—to reduce prices.

But that's not enough, at least for now: "The government can't wash its hands of it. Average diesel prices remain astronomical, above €2.40 on the highway and above €2.30 on normal roads. Gasoline costs over €2.20 on the highway and over €2.10 on the road network ." Therefore, concludes Massimiliano Dona, "it's time for the government to give motorists back the extra money it has collected thanks to VAT , without the bogus calculations of mobile excise duties that hide how much the treasury has actually collected in recent months compared to last year."

(Unioneonline/L)

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