The arrival of fuel companies PetroPrix and Plenergy in the Portuguese market was marked by expectations of more competitive prices, following the low-cost model successfully implemented in Spain. However, the values practiced in Portugal have generated controversy, mainly due to the significant differences in relation to the prices practiced in the neighboring country.
PetroPrix, the largest Spanish low-cost fuel chain, began operations in Portugal in September 2023, with the opening of a station in Águeda. Later, they opened posts in Covilhã and Matosinhos. With a fully automated service model available 24 hours a day, the company plans to reach 50 stations in the country by 2026.
Plenergy, previously known as Plenoil, arrived in December 2024, with its first supply station in Guarda. The company recently opened a second station in Viana do Castelo and plans to operate 15 stations by the end of 2025, focusing on its own facilities in high-traffic areas.
Despite the low-cost concept, fuel prices for these networks in Portugal are significantly higher than in Spain. Currently, PetroPrix stations in the country have prices ranging from R$1,489/L to R$1,599/L for diesel and gasoline, respectively. Plenergy has similar prices, with values of R$ 1,499/L for diesel and R$ 1,609/L for 95 unleaded gasoline at the Guarda station.
The main reason for the price discrepancies between the two countries appears to be the tax burden applied in Portugal, explains . In Spain, it is common to find PetroPrix and Plenergy stations with prices lower by 10 to 20 cents per liter. In Badajoz, for example, a Plenergy station sells diesel for just €1,289/L.
While Portuguese consumers await greater price competitiveness, the expansion of these networks promises to bring more fuel supply options. However, fiscal challenges in Portugal remain a significant obstacle to replicating the lower prices practiced in Spain.
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