Italy halves diesel tax relief and offers €300 million fuel credit, halting truckers' strike

The Italian government reduced the diesel tax discount from 20 to 10 cents per litre, effectively halving the accise cut. Estimates by consumer groups say the change will add about €6.1 to a full tank and push diesel prices above €2 per litre on the ordinary network and higher on highways. The move is part of a decree that also keeps a modest reduction in fuel taxes in place until 6 June 2026 – roughly 5 cents per litre for gasoline and 10 cents for diesel – and extends similar incentives to LPG, natural gas, HVO and biodiesel.

After a meeting at Palazzo Chigi with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, transport union leaders suspended the national truckers’ strike scheduled for 25‑29 May. The government pledged a €300 million tax credit for commercial diesel used between March and June 2026, adding to an existing €100 million credit. It also shortened the administrative “silence‑assent” period for tax‑credit claims from 60 to 30 days and promised faster electronic processing. Additional measures include possible temporary suspension of some tax and contribution payments, increased funding for local public transport, and credits for agricultural fuel and fertiliser.

The combined actions aim to ease the financial pressure on road‑transport firms, for whom diesel can account for up to 40 % of operating costs, especially for small operators and logistics services.