ÖAMTC supports EU windfall tax on mineral oil industry profits

The Austrian mobility club ÖAMTC has expressed support for a proposal by several European finance ministers to implement an EU-wide windfall tax on the profits of the mineral oil industry. The initiative aims to address the high costs of fuel, noting that in Austria, diesel prices have exceeded two euros per liter while gasoline averages around 1.80 euros.

Martin Grasslober, a transport economics expert at ÖAMTC, stated that it is fair to use extraordinary corporate profits during crisis periods to provide relief to citizens who depend on automobiles. The club argues that the resulting revenue should be used directly to lower consumer costs, specifically through reducing or suspending CO2 pricing and extending lower mineral oil tax rates.

Additionally, the ÖAMTC is calling for a critical investigation and stricter regulation of international price quotations for diesel and gasoline to ensure fair pricing at European fuel stations.