The December rise was 5% in the case of gasoline and has come to 9% for diesel. This margin increase has affected prices. In December, prices fell 2% in the case of gasoline 95 and 6% for diesel, and this despite the sharp fall suffered by the price of oil. Increased margins petrol stations among other factors explains why fuel prices in Spain are between the highest in Europe before taxes, according to the Oil Bulletin of the European Commission. Spain is the fifth country with the highest gasoline prices. In diesel, down to the tenth position, but it is the most expensive compared to the major countries of the EU and the countries in our immediate surroundings. OCU data to increase margins applied by petrol stations demonstrate once again that the structure of the fuel distribution market again prevents consumers from taking full advantage of the drop in oil prices.

The lack of competition in this sector means that in an environment of generalized drop in oil prices gas stations increase their margins at the expense of consumers. OCU claims that this situation is detrimental to consumers occurs facing no opposition from the various administrations unable to take effective measures to prevent the damage caused to consumers forced to continue to pay higher prices for fuel. Measures necessarily have to be structural and not just aesthetic or for show. And go through a reduction in market shares of the major operators in both provinces, major roads and in a large urban centers, and involving a reduction of market power that these have, in order to promote a diversified offer allowing consumers choose guarantees and fair prices.