◀ anchor ▶
Oil prices are so high these days, it’s hard to know how much to put in every time you refuel.
The government is expected to announce plans to lower the fuel tax two days later.
Like three years ago, when oil prices soared, a plan to lower it by 15% is being discussed.
By Seo Yoo-jung.
◀ Report ▶
The national average gasoline price is 1,754 won per liter.
It is up 32% from a year ago.
The price of Gyeongyut has already surpassed 1,500 won, reaching its highest point in seven years.
[임재훈]
“I have to move by car to move anywhere, but I can’t move by car because I’m afraid of this, and there are many difficult parts. Because of the price of gas…”
The government has pulled out a fuel tax cut card for the first time in three years.
Soaring oil prices could stimulate inflation and dampen consumption and investment.
Oil tax can be adjusted up to 30%.
In 2018, when the international oil price exceeded $84 per barrel, it lowered 15% for half a year and adjusted it to 7% for the next four months.
It is known that the government is also strongly considering a 15% cut this time.
It is analyzed that international oil prices, which have been on an upward trend for the ninth week in a row, and unstable exchange rates may have had an effect.
[이광우/LG경제연구원 연구위원]
“There is a possibility that the (cut) effect may be offset depending on such circumstances, such as an increase in oil prices or a rise in the exchange rate.”
If the fuel tax is lowered by 15%, the gasoline price will be reduced by 123 won per liter and the diesel price will be lowered by 87 won per liter.
However, it will take time to feel the effect of the fuel tax cut.
It takes at least two weeks to exhaust the oil already purchased at the gas station, so the price is slow to be reflected.
[조상범/대한석유협회 홍보팀장]
“(At the gas station) there are oil tanks, but the children (oil) who have already paid the fuel tax are in it. They can’t sell it lower than the price they bought, so they run out of stock for about a week…”
In addition, there remains a variable that the effect of the cut may be limited if the international oil price rises further.
The government announced the specific fuel tax cut rate on the 26th and plans to apply the reduced fuel tax from the middle of next month to March or April next year.
This is Seo Yoo-jung from MBC News.
Video coverage: So Jeong-seop / Video editing: Kim Ha-eun
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