Fuel price brake and mobility transition as response to oil price crisis
Mobility Minister Peter Hanke today explained the government's measures against the current oil price explosion and reaffirmed the long-term course of the mobility transition as a strategic response to geopolitical dependencies in the Federal Council.
Around one-third of the world's crude oil, one-third of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and one-third of global fertiliser run through the Strait of Hormuz – price shocks on international energy markets therefore have immediate consequences for businesses, security of supply, and mobility in Austria. That is why it is so important that the government acted quickly.
“As a short-term immediate measure, the fuel price brake reduces the price of every litre of petrol and diesel by 10 cents – directly tangible for everyone who depends on their vehicle. The measure aims to use existing market mechanisms to buffer price increases for customers while ensuring that neither the state nor the energy industry excessively benefit from price volatility,” said Federal Minister Peter Hanke.
According to Hanke, now is not the time to make insincere promises about cheap fuel from unknown sources.
“The people of Austria deserve honest and serious answers to this crisis.” In the long term, Hanke's answer to this structural vulnerability in our energy supply is clear: the consistent transformation of mobility and energy.
Austria's Federal Railways (ÖBB) are already 90 percent electrified, and 100 percent of ÖBB railway electricity comes from renewable sources. This makes public transport independent of oil price fluctuations – anyone who buys a climate ticket today will be travelling at a fixed price for the next twelve months, regardless of international markets. Furthermore, the government is committed to a high investment level in the ÖBB framework plan despite consolidation pressure, which is at a record level.
At the same time, electromobility in Austria is noticeably gaining momentum. Over 35,000 public charging points are now available, the number of ultra-fast charging points with 150 kilowatt or more has doubled to over 4,000 last year. In the ASFINAG network, charging points for cars will be expanded to 1,500 by 2030 and for trucks to 1,300 by 2035. More than 300,000 fully electric vehicles of all classes have been on Austria's roads since the end of 2025, and the 5 percent mark in the passenger car fleet was surpassed at the beginning of 2026.
The eTruck programme also specifically promotes the purchase of electric trucks and the associated charging infrastructure. Over 700 electric trucks are already in operation – such as at the Imst-Haiming power plant of TIWAG in Tyrol, Austria's first construction site that is primarily handled by electric heavy-duty vehicles. This impressively shows that electromobility has reached market maturity in all areas.
“Every charging station, every wind turbine, every new energy-efficient technology is a shield against international crises,” said Hanke, who also highlighted the importance of the recently passed Renewable Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG) and the first new logistics location strategy since 2014 currently being developed.
In addition, the minister called on all road users to make a personal contribution by saving fuel – stable speed, anticipatory driving, monthly tyre pressure check – and thereby reduce their fuel consumption by up to 15 percent.