On Wednesday, border-area gas stations saw an uptick in foreign drivers, especially from Germany, following the introduction of maximum fuel prices and a lower VAT rate. However, there were no signs of large-scale "fuel tourism," state news agency PAP reported.
Under rules in force since Tuesday, the maximum pump prices on Wednesday were set at PLN 6.21 (EUR 1.45) per liter for 95-octane gasoline, PLN 6.81 (EUR 1.59) for 98-octane, and PLN 7.66 (EUR 1.79) for diesel.
A reduced 8-percent VAT on fuel also took effect will remain in place through April 30.
At stations in Lubieszyn near the German border, short lines formed around midday, with two or three cars waiting at each pump, the PAP report said. At one Orlen station, about 20 vehicles with German license plates filled up over a 15-minute period.
Drivers from Germany said fuel on their side of the border was about EUR 0.35 per liter more expensive, according to the report.
Station staff in Kostrzyn nad Odrą and Słubice also reported a slight increase in German customers, but no unusually heavy traffic. In those towns, cross-border shopping is common, with German visitors often combining shopping trips with refueling.
In Cieszyn, near the Czech border, station workers said many Czech drivers had arrived since Tuesday. A price gap of about PLN 1 (EUR 0.23) per liter between nearby stations in Poland and the Czech Republic can translate into significant savings on a full tank.
The picture was different in Zgorzelec on the German border, and in the southeastern Podkarpacie region near Slovakia, where residents and station employees reported no noticeable increase in foreign traffic. One station in Dukla said traffic had even eased slightly in recent days.
According to data from the e-petrol.pl website, average retail prices in Poland fell to PLN 6.16 (EUR 1.44) per liter for 95-octane gasoline, down from PLN 7.14 (EUR 1.66) a week earlier, while diesel dropped to PLN 7.54 (EUR 1.76) from a record PLN 8.69 (EUR 2.03).
The new pricing system was introduced under legislation requiring fuel retailers to stay at or below a daily maximum price set by the energy ministry.
Sales above the cap are punishable by fines of up to PLN 1 million (EUR 233,000), with checks carried out by the National Revenue Administration.
A separate regulation in force since Monday cut excise duty on fuels through April 15.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP
Click on the audio player above for a report by Michał Owczarek.