The National Petroleum Company (Enap) has confirmed this Wednesday that starting Thursday, September 10, the price of gasoline — the name by which gasoline is known in Chile — will increase by 35 pesos per liter. Diesel, a key fuel for passenger and freight transport, will see a sharp increase of 89 pesos per liter. The confirmation of the increase comes a week before the celebration of the National Holidays, on September 18 and 19, a celebration where families
Read more Alcaraz, or when a defeat takes the form of healing: “I leave with my head held high”
The Minister of Finance, Jorge Quiroz, has regretted this new increase and said that the shock caused by the war in Iran directly affects the rise in costs. The authority also recalled the bencinazo of March, when the Executive decided to pass the price increase directly to consumers. “We had to make the difficult, very difficult decision, and we empathize with families in this, to pass on the prices,” he said in an interview with radio Bío-Bío.
How much does gasoline increase in Chile?
According to the prices reported by Enap, 93-octane gasoline will have a variation of 35 pesos (0.038 dollars) per liter, while 97-octane gasoline also rises by 35 pesos per liter. The increase in 95-octane gasoline is calculated with the average of the values of 93 and 97 octane fuels.
How much does the price of diesel increase?
Diesel will have a variation of 89 pesos (0.096 dollars) per liter, according to prices reported by Enap. Authorities have emphasized that this fuel is the most sensitive to the volatility of rates worldwide, unlike gasoline. Its value also harms the country’s transport chain, both freight and passenger, as it is the fuel preferentially used by trucks and buses. Gasoline, on the other hand, is mostly used by private vehicles.
Read more ONCE Daily Coupon: Check Wednesday, September 9 Draw
When does the new fuel price take effect?
The new values reported by Enap will take effect from Thursday, September 10. The variation lasts three weeks, until a new variation is published. The price provided by the state company is a reference for gas stations or service centers, as each company sets its own prices. The application of the increase also depends on these establishments, as some extend the previous rate until the fuel stock runs out.
Why did fuel prices rise in Chile?
The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has been the main factor behind the rise in fuel prices in Chile. The new tensions between the United States and Iran caused the price of a barrel of oil to exceed 100 dollars this Wednesday, a level not reached since July. Minister Jorge Quiroz has acknowledged the difficulties caused by this increase but said that fiscal savings and the ordering of accounts have allowed the country to be better prepared compared to the price surge in March. “The increases abroad have been enormous, in diesel they have been gigantic, much more than oil, and we are in a complex situation abroad, but today we can face it better because we have done the work,” said the Finance Minister.
Where to check gasoline prices
Motorists can search and quote the price of each gas station on the Bencina en Línea website, of the National Energy Commission. On a map, the platform shows the location and price of the fuel at each service center, as well as payment methods, opening hours, and whether it is self-service or not.