Under limits announced on Monday by Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka, the maximum price for regular 95-octane gasoline will be PLN 6.16 (around EUR 1.40) per litre, while higher-grade 98-octane petrol will be capped at PLN 6.76 (EUR 1.60).
Diesel fuel will be limited to PLN 7.60 (EUR 1.80) per litre, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The government says the emergency nationwide cap will be set daily by the energy minister in response to rapidly rising fuel prices driven by the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The price cap is expected to cost the government around PLN 700 million (EUR 163 million) per month, according to the finance ministry.
Poland’s president on Friday signed into law a package of measures aimed at lowering fuel prices as costs rise amid the conflict in the Middle East.
The new rules cut value-added tax (VAT) on fuels from 23 percent to 8 percent and reduce excise taxes to the minimum levels allowed under European Union regulations.
The package, adopted by the government last Thursday, was fast-tracked through parliament, with most opposition lawmakers backing the measures.
The government says the move could reduce pump prices by about PLN 1.20 (around EUR 0.30) per litre.
Tusk told reporters on Thursday that the government was introducing temporary maximum fuel prices to ensure the tax cuts translate into lower costs for consumers.
"We have developed a mechanism to ensure that these reductions have a real impact on prices," he said, adding that fuel retailers would be required to pass on the savings to customers.
The new measures are also intended to prevent excessive profits by fuel companies during a period of high oil prices, according to Tusk.
He said the government was not planning to introduce limits on fuel sales, but cautioned against "fuel tourism" by foreign drivers.
"If it turns out that fuel tourism reaches a disturbing scale, we will react," Tusk said.
He added that the government could also impose a windfall tax if it finds that fuel companies are making excessive profits as a result of rising oil prices.
Earlier this month, Tusk said Poland faced no risk of fuel shortages despite the Middle East conflict.
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Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info