Why are fuel prices so different in continental Europe to the UK?

Can you explain why the concept of supply and demand in terms of diesel and petrol prices is turned on its head in continental Europe, where the price of petrol exceeds that of diesel? The situation seems to be the reverse of what we have here.

Asked on 6 September 2012 by KS, Worthing

Answered by Honest John

According to a tabloid newspaper read by retired people, 60 per cent of the price of diesel in the UK is fuel tax and VAT, but this makes up just 49 per cent of the price in France. While in France 56 per cent of the price of petrol is tax against 58 per cent in the UK.

Tags: fuel prices fuel duty

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