Haparanda petrol stays 70 cents cheaper than in Tornio

Petrol in Haparanda remained about 70 cents per litre cheaper than in Tornio on Wednesday, despite one of Sweden’s fuel tax cuts ending, Yle reports.

The tax change is expected to raise petrol prices by about one Swedish krona per litre, or roughly nine euro cents, and diesel prices by slightly less. Fuel is still cheaper in Sweden, where a temporary reduction in carbon dioxide tax is in place until December. That reduction lowers pump prices for petrol and diesel by about three kronor.

Sweden’s lower renewable-fuel blending requirement and stronger competition in fuel sales also contribute to the price difference, according to the report. On Wednesday, the price gap for diesel between Haparanda and Tornio was about 27 cents per litre.

A litre of 95-octane petrol cost about 2.20 euros in Tornio. Across the border in Haparanda, it was available for as little as 16.74 kronor, or 1.48 euros.

The lower prices drew Finnish drivers to Haparanda’s fuel stations. Markku Simontaival, from Tampere, stopped to refuel while travelling from Kittilä to Tampere. He said the price difference makes a noticeable difference on a long journey and can make Tornio residents seem enviable for having access to cheaper fuel.

Pauli Eskelinen, from Oulu, said he had saved hundreds of euros by refuelling in Sweden this year. He has travelled nearly 10,000 kilometres with a caravan and said he had bought only about 30 litres of fuel costing more than two euros per litre.

Miia Koukari, from Tornio, said she visits Haparanda almost daily and could not remember the last time she filled up in Finland. “Everything is cheaper here,” she said.