The price of a litre of petrol in the Netherlands reached a new record on Wednesday. According to figures from consumer platform UnitedConsumers, a litre of Euro95 now costs €2.666, almost 3 cents more than on Tuesday. This surpasses the previous record of €2.646 set on 6 May, UnitedConsumers said.
Diesel also became more expensive. A litre of diesel costs €2.633 on Wednesday, nearly 3 cents more than the previous day. However, the record diesel price remains €2.819 per litre, reached on 8 April 2026, according to UnitedConsumers.
The figures are based on recommended retail prices, which are usually charged at motorway service stations. Fuel is often cheaper at other petrol stations.
UnitedConsumers had already predicted on Tuesday that the petrol price would exceed its previous record. The platform tracks the recommended prices of five major oil companies operating petrol stations in the Netherlands and calculates an average based on those prices.
Strait of Hormuz
Fuel prices have risen sharply since the outbreak of the Iran War in late February and the continuing disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Before the conflict, the strait handled about one-fifth of global oil transport. In recent months, however, almost no oil tankers have passed through the route. Rising tensions between the United States and Iran have also reduced hopes of a quick end to the war and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Higher oil prices have boosted profits for major energy companies. Shell reported its highest quarterly profit since early 2023. Profits at US oil and gas giants ExxonMobil and Chevron rose to their highest levels since 2022.
Research published by the ANWB on Tuesday found that many motorists in the Netherlands are cutting back on spending, including restaurant visits and holidays, to cope with higher fuel costs. Nearly a quarter of drivers said they had been significantly affected by rising fuel prices, while more than half said they had been affected to a lesser extent.
A separate survey by Kieskompas, conducted in collaboration with ANP and published on Monday, found that a majority of Dutch people are concerned about the impact of rising fuel prices on their household finances.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
