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The European Union is urging citizens to reduce driving and flying as it braces for what officials are calling “prolonged disruption” to energy supplies.
This follows the arrival of the last shipment of diesel and jet fuel from the Middle East.
EU Energy Chief Dan Jørgensen warned that Europe is facing a “very serious situation” with no clear resolution in sight.
He stated, “Even if peace were to be achieved tomorrow, we still will not return to normal in the foreseeable future. The more you can do to save oil, especially diesel and jet fuel, the better off we will be.”
The EU’s recommendations include working from home where possible and reducing highway speed limits by 10 km/h. Jørgensen also encouraged people to use public transport, increase car sharing, and adopt fuel-efficient driving practices.
This warning comes after a meeting of the EU’s 27 energy ministers, following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28. The Gulf region supplies roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil, and oil tankers have frequently been targeted by Iranian attacks in the Strait.
As a result, oil and gas prices have surged sharply. Diesel prices have reached their highest level since December 2022, with RAC analysis showing the average price per litre at UK petrol stations has risen to 181.2p, up 27% from 142.4p on February 28. Petrol prices have also climbed to 152.0p per litre, a 14% increase over the same period.
The EU relies on the Gulf for over 40% of its jet fuel and diesel imports. Jørgensen urged member states to implement renewable energy solutions and pursue energy independence, declaring, “This must be the time we finally turn the tide and truly become energy independent.”
Although the ministers concluded their discussions without concrete proposals, a package of EU-level measures is expected in the coming weeks to address the escalating energy crisis.
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