The effects of Eni's fuel price cap are now being seen. Yesterday's surveys, taken at 8:30 a.m. when several distributors had not yet adjusted their rates, showed no significant differences compared to Sunday: the average cost of diesel had decreased by just two thousandths per liter in Sardinia, and that of gasoline by three thousandths.
Today the drop is decidedly more significant: self-service diesel has an average price on the island of 2.355 euros per litre, four cents less than yesterday's 2.396; petrol stands at 2.134, 3.4 cents less than yesterday's 2.168 .
On the island, 136 Enilive distributors have set price caps for diesel and gasoline at €2.19 and €1.99 per liter, respectively . IP has joined this initiative, but yesterday it had only capped prices at 300 of its approximately 3,400 distributors in Italy —not even a tenth.
IP now plans to gradually extend the discounts to Esso and other operators supplied by IP. Q8 could follow, if the government's negotiations with the Kuwaiti group are successful.
Sardinia remains among the most expensive regions, with the average price of diesel being higher only in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (2.365) and in Calabria (2.359) . As for petrol, the island has the fifth highest price: higher costs are found not only in Bolzano and Calabria, but also in Sicily and Basilicata.
Meanwhile, calls are mounting from companies to unions for the price cap to be made universal. "The voluntary commitments, when fully implemented, cover fewer than four out of ten distributors, are temporary, and can be revised at any time," said CISL General Secretary Daniela Fumarola.
Assopetroli-Assoenergia has instead called on the government to immediately initiate discussions to extend price caps to wholesale sales. This could reach families and businesses currently excluded and ensure fair competition for independent operators, whose very survival is at risk.
Petrol station owners are worried about Eni's initiative, which could take customers away from competitors: "Part of the network will not be able to compete," warns Bruno Bearzi, president of Figisc Concommercio.
Possible fuel shortages are also a concern; some gas stations have sold out due to the rush to grab the discount. Yesterday, even in Cagliari, there were long lines at Enilive gas stations to take advantage of the reduced price.
(Unioneonline/L)