The average price of diesel in the European Union reached **2.23 euros per liter**, the highest level recorded in the weekly reports kept by the European Commission since 2005. However, this average hides major differences between countries, largely due to varying taxation policies and government aid measures introduced in response to the ongoing energy crisis. In the Netherlands, diesel is the most expensive in Europe, averaging **2.58 euros per liter**, or **129 euros** for a 50-liter tank. France ranks sixth in the most expensive countries, with an average price of **2.38 euros per liter** as of September 21. Countries such as Belgium, Germany, Finland, and Denmark have higher prices than France, while Malta offers the lowest diesel price at **1.21 euros per liter**, a stable rate since the beginning of the year due to public aid measures introduced in 2022. Diesel prices across Europe have risen sharply since the end of February, with France experiencing an increase of **73 cents per liter**. This variation is mainly due to differences in taxation. Jean-Louis Schilansky, former president of the French Union of Petroleum Industries (Ufip), explained that fuel prices without taxes are relatively close across Europe, with differences generally around **10 cents** due to factors like refining, transport, and supply conditions. In France, fixed taxes on diesel, excluding VAT, amount to **61 cents per liter**, which is higher than the **47 cents** average across the rest of the European Union. Government aid policies have also influenced diesel prices in various European countries. In Spain, the VAT on fuels was reduced from **21% to 10%** starting March 19, which led to a **20-cent per liter** decrease in diesel prices. However, this measure is set to expire on September 30. In Italy, subsidies have been gradually cut, with the latest reduction on September 17 lowering the aid from **17.1 cents per liter to 12.1 cents**, and further reductions planned until October 5. Germany introduced tax reductions between May 1 and July 1, allowing diesel prices to return to pre-crisis levels by the end of June. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced additional tax cuts of **17 cents per liter** for diesel and gasoline between October 1 and December 31 to address recent price increases. The financial cost of these aid policies varies significantly among countries. In Spain, the VAT reduction between March 19 and July 1 is estimated to have cost **2.5 billion euros**. Belgium, however, has limited financial flexibility, with Prime Minister Bart De Wever stating that the country’s budget is nearly exhausted, justifying the lack of further measures. In France, the government has chosen targeted support over broad tax cuts. Measures include expanding aid for large drivers and extending support for sectors such as fishing, farming, and construction until December 31. The idea of reducing fuel taxes, which has been promoted by the National Rally, is rejected by the French government. President Emmanuel Macron has criticized such proposals as "budgetary demagoguery," arguing that reducing fuel taxes by **20 cents per liter** would cost the state **1 billion euros** in real expenditures.