Overview
- Automotive fuel sales in the eurozone fell 3.5% year on year in April, the steepest monthly drop since October 2023 and the first annual decline since July 2024 per Eurostat-based reporting.
- Average gasoline pump prices across the EU rose about 13.6% since April and diesel prices climbed roughly 33.7% in a dozen countries, squeezing household and business budgets.
- European governments have mobilized more than €11 billion for price‑regulation and relief measures to limit the burden on consumers.
- Drivers reacted by conserving fuel and deferring trips, and industry data showed a roughly 34% surge in electric vehicle demand in April as buyers shifted away from petrol and diesel.
- Analysts and agencies warn the shock could persist if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and refining bottlenecks continue, a risk underscored by comments from Saudi Aramco and the IEA about broader supply pressure.