Il 2026 start with one new important for those who own adiesel car: from January 1st, the diesel price will see a significant increase due to theincrease in excise duties foreseen by the Budget Law 2026. Added to this is another blow for motorists: even the Highway tolls will increase, making the travel toll even heavier. Meanwhile, the petrol continues to follow a downward trend, reaching lowest levels since 2021.
Diesel price hike: the impact on motorists' pockets
According to the new provisions of the 2026 Budget Bill, excise duties on diesel will increase by 4,05 cents per litre, affecting approximately 16,6 million motorists. The measure, Codacons estimates, will bring into the state coffers approximately 552 million euros in 2026The Italian Federation of Roadside Fuel Station Managers (FIGISC) has specified that the excise duty on petrol and diesel will be standardised at 672,90 euros per 1.000 litres. alignment will lead to an increase in diesel and a reduction in petrol, with immediate effects on the price at the pump.
For an average driver, considering VAT at 22%, a full tank of diesel 50 liter it will cost 2,47 euros more. On an annual basis, assuming two full tanks per month, the additional cost will be approximately 59 euros. Adding the increases already implemented in May 2025, the overall increase comes to 3,38 euros per tank, equal to 81,1 euros per year. Codacons, however, warns that the drop in gasoline prices may not be immediately reflected in final prices, as observed in the past, when diesel price increases were immediately noticeable, while gasoline price drops were minimal.
Gasoline prices fall: prices hit a four-year low
As the diesel rises, the petrol records an opposite trend, with prices to fall from the end of November 2025According to the Mimit (Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy), the decrease in prices reflects the trend of international markets and refined products. During the Christmas holidays, the decline becomes even more significant, considering the increase in Italian travel.
As of December 30, 2025, the MIMIT Fuel Price Observatory reports that self-service gasoline averaged €1,68 per liter, while self-service diesel stood at €1,64 per liter, a slight decrease from the previous day. This scenario creates a complex balance between the increase in diesel prices and the reduction in gasoline prices, with tangible effects on motorists' budgets.
