A corresponding decree from Prime Minister Viktor Orban appeared late Tuesday evening in the Hungarian Government Gazette. Since 1 November last year, drivers in Hungary have only had to pay 480 forints (1.17 euros) for a liter of premium unleaded (95 octane) or a liter of diesel.
The scheme recently led to bottlenecks in the fuel supply of vehicles. Foreign petroleum companies were not interested in supplying gasoline to Hungary at prices below market value.
The domestic mineral oil company MOL could no longer meet the increased demand for cheap fuel. Many gas stations ran out of gas and queues formed at the pumps.
While the phenomenon had not yet been seen across the board, experts said there were signs of a collapse in the fuel supply. The lifting of the price cap took effect on Tuesday at 11 p.m.
There were also bottlenecks in the past. The government had therefore increasingly restricted the circle of claimants. Since last May, only vehicles registered in Hungary can be refueled at a reduced rate. In July, the scheme was restricted to privately owned vehicles.
(SDA)