Diesel consumption in Portugal fell by 14.2 percent in one month: The rise in fuel prices continues

While road fuel consumption in Portugal decreased significantly in August, a double-digit decrease was recorded, especially for diesel.

According to the newly published August data of Direção-Geral de Energia e Geologia, the total consumption of road fuels decreased from approximately 564 thousand tons in July to 506 thousand tons.

This means a decrease of approximately 10.3 percent in one month.

The decline in diesel was stronger.

Diesel consumption decreased from 422 thousand tons to 362 thousand tons

According to DGEG data, while diesel consumption was approximately 422 thousand tons in July, it decreased to 362 thousand tons in August.

The monthly decrease is approximately 14.2 percent.

The movement in gasoline consumption was different from that of diesel.

For this reason, it is not correct to evaluate the decline in total fuel consumption as a decrease in all fuel types to the same extent.

Fuel prices increased in the same month

The decline in consumption coincided with the period when fuel prices rose again.

According to DGEG data, the average diesel price increased from approximately €1,907/litre in July to €2,029/litre in August.

This means a monthly increase of approximately 6.4 percent.

The average price of gasoline 95 increased from approximately 1,943 €/liter to 1,966 €/liter.

The difference is much bigger since February

A more striking picture than the monthly change emerges when we look at the first part of the year.

According to the comparison made from DGEG data, diesel prices as of August Compared to the previous month, gasoline prices were approximately 27.8 percent higher and gasoline prices were approximately 17.2 percent higher.

Therefore, especially for households and businesses that use diesel, the increase in fuel costs is far beyond weekly changes of a few cents.

Is the decline in consumption due only to prices?

It is not possible to say this with certainty with the available data.

Although the increase in fuel prices is one of the factors that can reduce consumption, monthly fuel consumption is also affected by travel movements, tourism, economic activity, heavy vehicle traffic and seasonality.

As a matter of fact, longer-term data do not show a complete collapse of fuel consumption in Portugal.

Total consumption for the last 12 months is still positive in the annual comparison.

Therefore, the correct interpretation of the August data is not “high prices discouraged the Portuguese from cars”.

What the data definitely shows is that road fuel consumption fell by 10.3 percent from July to August, diesel consumption by 14.2 percent, and average prices rose over the same period.

Next change for drivers is Monday

There is also a positive development in the short term for Portuguese drivers as the new DGEG data is published.

Industry forecasts point to a new price drop for both diesel and gasoline on Monday, October 5.

However, due to the government's ISP adjustment, not all of the decline in international prices is reflected at the pump. is expected.

Resources

DGEG — Estatísticas Rápidas dos Combustíveis, August 2026

https://www.dgeg.gov.pt/pt/destaques/estatisticas-rapidas-dos-combustiveis-agosto-2026/

Jornal Económico / Lusa — 3 October 2026

https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/noticias/consumo-de-combustiveis-cai-103-em-agosto-e-precos-sobem-ate-64/