U.S. drivers in Europe should stock up on fuel coupons this weekend before prices jump on Monday.
Fuel costs will climb next month as military officials increase prices by an average of about 11 cents per gallon for regular unleaded, super and super-plus gas, according to an Army and Air Force Exchange Service announcement. The price of diesel fuel is also going up in most areas by an average two cents per gallon.
The spike coincides with soaring prices in the United States, and prices could remain higher for the near future, AAFES officials say.
For example, the nationwide average for regular unleaded is now $2.02, up 14 cents from last month and nearly 50 cents from this time last year, according to the AAA.
While still a fraction of the cost of European prices at the pump, U.S. prices for most coupon users will still be considerably higher than average U.S. prices.
Here’s how the new fuel costs, per gallon, will break down as Nov. 1:
Germany: regular unleaded — $2.138; super-unleaded – $2.235; super-plus – $2.324; diesel – $2.251.United Kingdom: super-unleaded – $2.169; diesel – $2.185. (Super-plus is not available in the United Kingdom.)The Netherlands: super-unleaded – $2.325; super-plus – $2.577; diesel – $2.503.Turkey: regular unleaded – $1.996; super-unleaded – $2.340; diesel – $2.340.Azores: super-plus – $1.982.Blaming the spike on increasing demand in China, along with potential disruptions in supply from war-torn Iraq as well as Russia and Venezuela, AAFES officials warn to “expect gasoline prices to remain high as long as demand remains strong and inventories remain lower than expected.”
With a nod to troops returning home from extended deployments, military officials have extended Series 5 coupons with Sept. 30, 2004, expiration dates bought in Germany or the Netherlands to April 30, 2005.
The old coupons, however, are good at on-base military gas stations only.
