Diesel hits an all-time high in Switzerland, above 2.40 francs

Diesel has never been this expensive in Switzerland. According to data from the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS), the national average price has reached 2.41 francs per liter, surpassing the previous record of 2.30 francs set in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Unleaded 95 gasoline is also becoming more expensive: the national average is now 2.10 francs per liter, up 5 centimes in a single week. In this case, the historic record of 2.31 francs has not yet been reached.

The TCS attributes the price increase to several factors occurring at the same time. The war in Iran and disruptions to oil flows in the Middle East are putting strong pressure on crude oil and refined product markets. Added to this are the consequences of the war in Ukraine: Russian exports of diesel and gasoline have sharply decreased, if not stopped altogether.

Switzerland's own difficulties

Domestic factors are also weighing on the price increase. The Cressier refinery, in the canton of Neuchâtel, which normally covers 30% of Switzerland's demand for petroleum products, was shut down for several days. In addition, low water levels on the Rhine have been limiting barge loading for months.

This second factor carries a specific weight: transport between Rotterdam and Basel now costs over 220 francs per tonne, compared with 22 to 28 francs under normal conditions. According to TCS calculations, the higher cost of Rhine transport alone currently accounts for around 15 centimes per liter of the pump price.

The episode shows how much Switzerland's fuel supply depends on a small number of critical infrastructures: a refinery covering nearly a third of national demand, and a waterway whose capacity depends on rainfall. For transport and logistics companies, which rely heavily on diesel, the increase translates into higher operating costs, with possible knock-on effects on consumer prices well beyond the pump.