The outbreak of war in Ukraine puts fuel prices on a bumpy ride. That’s why the National Council wants a gasoline price calculator. On Wednesday, the majority of the relevant motion was approved.
The Federal Council wanted to reject the motion. Economy Minister Guy Parmelin (63) announced that fuel prices have fallen again since spring.
During the discussion at the National Council, criticism arose that the current special offer should not be pushed out of the market by a government price calculator. Three weeks ago, Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) introduced its own petrol price radar. The offer seems to be in demand: over a million accesses were made to the website in the first 14 days.
Government solution needed
Still, the majority of the National Council was convinced that a state solution was needed. Price watcher Stefan Meierhans (54) agrees: “I think the key to the success of such a platform lies in the completeness and timeliness of data, on the one hand, and the display of only the cheapest providers, on the other hand.”
According to Meierhans, Austria and Germany have good experiences with government solutions. “Increased competition in Germany has caused prices to drop. German margins, which were already low, fell another 13 percent.” Gasoline price margins are significantly higher in Switzerland.
Now it’s up to the Council of State. At its autumn session, it already approved another motion of the same. If the proposal is passed, the Federal Council must take charge of a state oil price radar project.