Tidö investigator: Fuel 3 kronor more expensive – welcomed by the Green Party

In October 2024, the government appointed the inquiry that would come to be known as the “Policy Instruments Inquiry” (Styrmedelsutredningen), tasking investigators with analyzing which policy measures can be shaped to phase out fossil fuels. The inquiry has now been completed and proposes an increase in taxes and the blending mandate (reduktionsplikt) equivalent to three kronor per liter at the pump.

Earlier in May, the government announced it was lowering the tax on fuels by another 3 kronor per liter, in light of rising prices due to the war in the Middle East.

The Sweden Democrats’ climate policy spokesperson, Martin Kinnunen, commented on the proposal saying, “it has significant effects on households and people who need the car to get to work.”

Now the government has received the so-called Policy Instruments Inquiry, which actually proposes the exact opposite. An increase in fuel taxes and the blending mandate, resulting in a price at the pump that’s 3 kronor higher. This is something that the government and the Sweden Democrats will not follow.

– Again, this focus on higher fuel taxes and an increased blending mandate. The kind of thing voters said no to last time and which are red lines for us. We will not accept it, writes Jimmie Åkesson (SD) to Aftonbladet.

Nor do the Moderates appear eager to follow the inquiry’s recommendations. Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M) argues that “raising the blending mandate in this crisis situation would be a really bad idea.”

One person who does seem pleased with the inquiry’s proposals is the Green Party’s Daniel Helldén, who notes that the conclusions are in line with the party’s climate policy.

– We have said that we need to raise the tax on fuel and increase the blending mandate. Right now we are in a crisis, but in a normal situation, yes, he says.