Road fuels
Overview
Fuels for road transportation continue to drive the refining industry. But gasoline and diesel use is coming under increasing pressure from the introduction of low-carbon targets around the world.
Global oversupply, new regulatory measures and rapidly increasing competition for export markets are affecting refining margins. The need for accurate insight and data is more critical than ever.
Argus road fuels coverage includes price assessments and key insights into conventional fuels — gasoline, middle distillates and blending components — as well as biofuels, in each key region. Our trusted prices are delivered alongside the latest market-moving news, in-depth analysis, supply and demand dynamics, price forecasts and forward curves data.
Latest road fuels news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global road fuels industry.
Economic recovery lifts German diesel demand in 2025
Economic recovery lifts German diesel demand in 2025
Hamburg, 6 May (Argus) — German diesel demand rose in 2025 for the first time in six years, signalling a recovery in industrial activity after a prolonged period of economic weakness, latest data from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bafa) show. But the current conflict in the Middle East could yet reverse this nascent trend. The rise in diesel demand reflects a modest rebound in economic activity. After two consecutive years of recession, Germany's economy returned to growth last year, expanding by 0.2pc, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The downturn had been triggered by Russia's war against Ukraine and the resulting sanctions on the Russian energy sector, which pushed energy prices sharply higher across Europe — and especially in Germany. Higher costs weighed heavily on domestic industry, with the chemicals sector particularly affected. As a result, Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.9pc in 2023 and by 0.5pc in 2024 (see chart) . Prolonged economic weakness over this period also depressed diesel demand. Lower industrial output reduces transport needs for intermediate goods and finished products, cutting truck movements and, in turn, diesel consumption. This pattern is evident in Bafa fuel data. After the Covid-19 crisis caused a sharp fall in diesel demand in 2020 and 2021, consumption fell again in 2022 and declined further in 2023 and 2024. The increase recorded in 2025 therefore marks the first reversal in diesel demand since 2019 (see chart). It appears unlikely, however, that the recovery will be sustained this year in the wake of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has driven a sharp rise in energy prices since late February. GDP in the first quarter of 2026 rose by 0.5pc year on year, according to Destatis, but the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWE) says the performance was largely driven by positive momentum before the war started. Destatis' truck mileage index and data from the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) both point to a marked deterioration in economic conditions in March. BMWE attributes the slowdown mainly to higher energy and raw material costs, compounded by disruptions to supply chains for intermediate goods. By Johannes Guhlke German Diesel inland deliveries German GDP year on year change Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australia announces $7.7bn fuel security package
Australia announces $7.7bn fuel security package
Sydney, 6 May (Argus) — Australia's upcoming budget will include a A$10.7bn ($7.7bn) package aimed at strengthening national fuel and fertilizer security, including the creation of a permanent, government-owned fuel reserve of about 1bn litres (6.29mn bl) and an increase in the country's minimum stockholding obligation (MSO). The package is intended to support the increase of the MSO by about 10 days, as part of wider efforts to increase the government-owned stockpile of gasoil, jet fuel and gasoline to 50 days, the federal government said today. The government will consult on implementation of the reserve, including its ability to underwrite or purchase fuel, support storage infrastructure and trade stocks during severe or prolonged supply disruptions. Of the total funding, A$7.5bn will be allocated to establish a facility to increase fuel and fertilizer supply and storage through financial support mechanisms such as loans, equity, guarantees, insurance and price support. A further A$3.2bn will be used to fund the government-owned fuel reserve, which will focus on addressing regional stockouts. The increased MSO will be supported by A$34.7mn over four years for the ongoing management of Australia's fuel security. The budget will also include A$10mn to support feasibility studies into new or expanded fuel refining capacity, to be co-funded with state and territory governments. At least one proposal already has backing from both federal and state governments to assess the potential for additional refining capacity, prime minister Anthony Albanese said today. The government said the changes will be implemented progressively and supported by investment in new and refurbished fuel storage infrastructure. Further details of the Australian Fuel Security and Resilience package will be released with the federal budget next week. Australia held 33 days of gasoil, 43 days of gasoline and 28 days of jet fuel stocks as of 28 April, energy minister Chris Bowen said on 2 May. Australian fuel importers under the MSO are required to hold 32 days' supply of gasoil, and 27 days of gasoline and jet fuel, while local refiners, Viva Energy and Ampol, are required to hold 20 days of gasoil and 24 days of gasoline and jet fuel. A 20pc reduction to the MSO is currently in place, first implemented in March to allow more supply of gasoil and gasoline in response to panic buying-induced shortages. The centre right Coalition opposition said last week it would seek to double the country's mandated fuel stocks if it returns to government after the next federal election. An A$800mn energy security package would lift the MSO to 60 days by early 2028 and expand domestic storage capacity by at least 6.29mn bl, opposition leader Angus Taylor said on 28 April, adding that the policy would increase retail fuel prices by "about a cent a litre". Western Australia and Victoria have already established their own strategic gasoil reserves, while other states are considering similar measures. State governments have also begun amending legislation in anticipation of a worsening fuel outlook, with Western Australia amending its Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act on 5 May and South Australia proposing legislation to expand its authority to impose fuel rationing on 4 May. Australia is currently operating under level two of its National Fuel Emergency Response framework, under which national fuel supply remains functional but localised disruptions are occurring. By Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australia extends EV tax cuts to 2029 on higher sales
Australia extends EV tax cuts to 2029 on higher sales
Sydney, 5 May (Argus) — Australia's federal government will continue its fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles for another 12 months before winding back the discount in stages to 2029, on the back of a surge in demand. The full discount for battery EVs costing less than A$91,000 ($65,000) will continue until 31 March 2027, energy minister Chris Bowen said on 5 May, before the FBT is changed to cover only EVs costing less than A$75,000 from 1 April next year, while more expensive EVs will get a 25pc discount on FBT payable. All EVs below the luxury car tax threshold will receive a 25pc discount on FBT from 1 April 2029. The new policy comes after a government review of EV discounts, which found that 330,000 EVs were sold over the rebate's initial three years to December 2025, with about 133,000 bought under leases benefitting from the FBT exemption. Plug-in hybrids, EVs also featuring a combustion engine but with an externally chargeable battery, were included in the exemption until 1 April 2025. Around 64,000 extra battery EVs and 78,000 extra EVs including plug-ins were sold due to the discount in the first three years, according to the review. The nation's Productivity Commission (PC) had advocated a phasing out of the FBT, a policy platform criticised by industry body the EV Council as stalling Australia's energy transition. The PC estimated that the electric car discount's (ECD) cost of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) emissions abatement was somewhere between A$987-20,084/t, unfavourable compared to other policies, but improved air quality, lower operational costs for motorists and reducing reliance on imported fuel were considered benefits, the review said. Battery boom Australia used 273,000 b/d of gasoline last year , mainly for passenger cars, while a proportion of the 578,000 b/d in average gasoil consumption went to light commercial and passenger vehicles. But EV uptake is rising. Soaring fuel costs and panic-buying which led to tighter availability of transport fuel in some areas may be boosting EV uptake. EVs accounted for 14.6pc and 16.4pc of all new sales in March-April, up from 7.5pc and 5.9pc a year earlier, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data. This spike may also be due to concerns about the FBT phase-out ahead of the 12 May 2026 budget and some impact from Canberra's fuel efficiency standard , which mandates carmakers to meet tightening emissions standards across their range. A commuter-centric nation, Australians mostly live in suburban areas characterised by distance from employment and poor public transport connections. Demand for EVs is still well-below combustion engines, renewables lobby Rewiring Australia said on 5 May, and more charging infrastructure and affordable supply are needed to make EVs the first choice. Transport-related emissions were 98.7mn t CO2e in the year ending 30 June 2025, or 22.5pc of Australia's total, up by 0.3pc on the year . By Tom Major Australia's gasoline sales by state (b/d) Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
South Australia proposes expanding fuel rationing rules
South Australia proposes expanding fuel rationing rules
Sydney, 4 May (Argus) — The South Australian government has proposed legislation to expand its authority to impose fuel rationing, as concerns persist over global oil supply disruptions linked to the Middle East war, it said on 3 May. Rationing measures would only be activated if Australia's National Fuel Security plan , currently at level 2, escalates to level 4, the most severe classification. The proposed amendments to the state's Petroleum Products Regulation Act would allow fuel rationing to be imposed for up to 90 days at a time, replacing the current seven-day limit. The 90-day period could be renewed repeatedly if required, the South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas announced on 3 May. The proposed framework would also introduce stricter penalties for market misconduct during supply shortages, including fines of up to A$1mn ($650,000) for fuel retailers, wholesalers and suppliers found to be engaging in price exploitation. State opposition leader Ashton Hurn called for the establishment of a strategic gasoil reserve, proposing a 20mn litre buffer stock to support essential sectors during supply disruptions. Western Australia (WA) created a separate strategic fuel reserve to the national minimal stockpile obligation in mid-April. The state government purchased 4mn litres (25,157bl) of gasoil to be stored in the Kimberley region, north of WA, while an additional 8mn litres (50,314 bl) of gasoil will be stored between Esperance and Kwinana. By Lawrence Wen Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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