The price of petrol has never been so high in the Netherlands as at present. The recommended retail price for gasoline stands at over 1.75 euros a litre. Diesel is now at nearly 1.5 euros a litre, just one euro-cent short of the record high.

“At present prices, the average motorist will spend about 100 euros more on fuel this year than in 2011,” says a spokesperson from the United Consumers group.

Prices have been driven up on the international oil market over recent months. This is being blamed on tensions between Iran and the West and on the unrest in Syria.

Dutch fuel levies also went up at the start of 2012. They are now reported to be the highest in Europe. The fall of the value of the euro against the US dollar has also had an effect as oil is paid for in dollars. This has also pushed Dutch fuel prices up.

(mw/hs/nc)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide