Why filling up is so expensive right now – and what makes up the price per litre
Diesel hit a new record in September. Around 40 to 45 per cent of the price per litre is tax – the rest depends on world markets, transport and crises.
Anyone filling up these weeks will have noticed: according to TCS, diesel cost an average of CHF 2.46 per litre on 21 September, unleaded 95 CHF 2.14 and unleaded 98 CHF 2.25. Shortly before, diesel had beaten the previous record from 2022 (CHF 2.40) at CHF 2.41. But where does each franc at the pump actually go?
The biggest fixed item is the mineral oil tax. Including the mineral oil tax surcharge, it amounts to 76.82 centimes per litre of petrol and 79.57 centimes per litre of diesel according to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) – regardless of whether a litre costs CHF 1.70 or CHF 2.40. The federal government collects around CHF 4.4 billion a year from it. For motor fuels, 50 per cent of the tax goes to road and air transport tasks, 10 per cent to the National Roads and Agglomeration Transport Fund (NAF) and 40 per cent to the federal treasury; the surcharge goes entirely to the NAF.
On top of that comes CO2 compensation: in 2026 importers must offset part of the CO2 emissions from transport and may pass on the costs up to a maximum of 5 centimes per litre. Unlike heating oil, however, there is no CO2 levy on motor fuels. Finally, VAT of 8.1 per cent is charged on the total price – including the mineral oil tax.
A worked example (rounded) for a litre of unleaded 95 at CHF 2.14: around 16 centimes VAT, 77 centimes mineral oil tax and surcharge, up to 5 centimes CO2 compensation. That leaves about CHF 1.16 for buying the fuel, transport, storage, compulsory stocks, the filling station and the margin. For diesel at CHF 2.46 it is around 18 centimes VAT and 80 centimes tax – the remaining CHF 1.43 or so (before CO2 compensation) depends on the market. Taxes therefore currently make up around 40 to 45 per cent of the price per litre.
Why is the price so high at the moment? The fixed taxes haven't changed – it is the variable part that has risen. Since the war in Iran began on 28 February 2026, fuel costs have gone up significantly. International fuel markets are tight; Brent crude cost just under 102 dollars a barrel at the end of September. Swiss specifics add to this: low water on the Rhine makes imports by ship more expensive, and transport problems weigh as well. Because filling stations buy their fuel ahead of time, movements on the oil markets reach the pump with a delay – both up and down.
The good news: according to the federal government, Switzerland's supply is secure and the Cressier refinery is running again. For companies with their own filling station, it pays to keep a close eye on tank levels and consumption – for example with remote tank monitoring. That makes it easier to plan when to refill. We're happy to advise.
Sources: FOCBS (mineral oil tax), TCS price comparison via cash.ch/AWP (21 Sept 2026), Blick (9 March 2026). All figures rounded, as of 11 October 2026.