Petrol and diesel became more affordable for drivers in Finland last week, compared to recent fuel prices.
The average price of one litre of diesel dropped to 2.36 euros last week, compared to 2.53 euros the previous week. Meanwhile, a litre of 95-octane petrol cost 2.40 euros last week, as opposed to 2.55 euros the week before, according to Statistics Finland.
The last time fuel prices were as low as last week was the final week of May.
The number-crunching agency bases its fuel price figures on a survey of around 60 petrol stations across the country.
Fuel price levels in Finland are determined by a number of factors, including the global market price as well as decisions by government, such as the move to temporarily reduce the obligation of fuel firms to distribute renewable fuels this year.
According to the economic affairs and employment ministry, the Distribution Obligation Act "requires distributors of transport fuels to supply a minimum amount of renewable fuels for consumption each year, based on separate provisions."
While reducing such obligations do lower prices, it also has the effect of increasing emissions.
According to ministry estimates, lowering the distribution obligation lowers the pump price of diesel by about 12 cents per litre, and petrol by a bit less than that.
A similar government-prompted discount is also in the works for next year. However, there are broader plans to raise the long-term distribution obligation levels in order to compensate for the temporary decreases.
Edit 14.7.2022 at 11:15am: Sentence added to article to clarify that fuel prices are determined by a number of different factors.