Strong support for lower fuel taxes – strongest among young people

A majority of Swedes are in favor of lower taxes on petrol and diesel. This is shown by an opinion poll conducted by Indikator Opinion on behalf of P4.

According to the survey, 52 percent believe that it is a very or fairly good idea to lower the tax on fuels. At the same time, 29 percent think it is a fairly or very bad proposal. The remainder are neutral or have no opinion.

The support is particularly strong in rural areas, where 61 percent are positive towards a tax reduction, while only 20 percent are negative.

The survey also shows that younger adults are more positive than older people about lower fuel taxes. Among those aged 18 to 29, 65 percent say the proposal is very or fairly good, compared to 19 percent who think it is bad.

The differences between young women and men are relatively small. Among women aged 18-29, 62 percent are positive about the proposal, while the corresponding figure among young men is 69 percent. At the same time, the survey shows that older women are more often negative towards a reduction in petrol and diesel taxes.

Tidö voters satisfied

There are also clear political differences. Among voters for the Moderates, the Liberals, the Christian Democrats, and the Sweden Democrats, 76 percent say a tax reduction is a good idea. Among voters for the Social Democrats, Left Party, Green Party, and Centre Party, only 27 percent are positive, while 51 percent are negative.

The issue of fuel taxes has been one of the most debated economic and climate policy topics in recent years. After the change of government in 2022, the government, with support from the Tidö agreement, made several reductions to petrol and diesel taxes. The aim has been to reduce costs for households and businesses, especially in parts of the country where cars are necessary for daily life.

“Petroleum populism”

The government has emphasized that high fuel prices hit commuters, families with children, and rural businesses hard. Critics, however, have warned that lower fuel taxes may make it harder for Sweden to achieve its climate goals by reducing incentives to cut fossil fuel use.

In P4’s report, these differing perspectives are clearly visible. Stefan Junhammar, who commutes between Östergötland and Jämtland, welcomes the lower petrol tax. Micael Appelgren from Stockholm, on the other hand, is critical and describes the policy as “petroleum populism.”

The survey was conducted between March 27 and April 13, 2026. In total, 2,044 people over the age of 18 responded, corresponding to a response rate of 46 percent. The results have been weighted according to gender, age, and party preference in the 2022 parliamentary election.