The decision by Slovakia‘s government this month to approve a resolution allowing service stations to limit diesel sales, and also set higher prices for cars with foreign plates, go against European Union law, said a Commission spokesperson on Tuesday.
“We take note that the Slovak government has adopted a measure imposing, a 30 day restriction on diesel refuelling in Slovakia as well as introducing differentiated pricing for domestic and foreign vehicles. And that includes higher prices for vehicles with foreign licence plates,” said the spokesperson at a news conference.
“We consider that this measure is highly discriminatory and against EU Law and while we understand the need to support citizens, and at this time in particular, measures must not discriminate between nationality, nor should they undermine the integrity of our single market, we will take the appropriate legal action to ensure compliance with this,” added the spokesperson.
Slovakia has sought to secure supplies as global energy prices have surged due to the Iran war, and as the country’s Russian crude deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline have been interrupted due to damage to the line in Ukraine.
Under Slovakia’s new resolution, fuel pumps can limit diesel sales to a full tank and up to 10 additional litres.
Exports will also be limited, and prices of diesel for foreign-registered cars can be set differently, based on the average of prices in neighbouring Czech Republic, Austria and Poland.
The measures will be valid for 30 days and do not concern gasoline.
The decision comes as Hungary capped fuel prices this month, and Poland’s main refiner Orlen has reduced its margins to mitigate the impact on consumers.
Meanwhile, British motorists were told they should not drive slower nor buy fuel differently because of the Iran oil crisis. Michael Shanks insisted British drivers did not need to change their habits, despite suggestions from the International Energy Agency (IEA) aimed at conserving fuel.
The IEA has advised motorists across the world to reduce their speed on highways, share rides and work from home when possible to reduce how much petrol or diesel they use.
Mr Shanks was asked by Times Radio if British drivers should change their habits and told the broadcaster: “They should do everything as absolutely normal because there is no shortage of fuel anywhere in the country at the moment.
“We monitor this every single day, I look at the numbers personally. There’s no issue at all with that.”