Q8 extends petrol and diesel price cap in Italy to 31 December 2026

A price cap extended to year end

Q8 Italia has decided to extend its price cap on petrol and diesel until 31 December 2026, citing the current national emergency and requests from the Italian government. The cap took effect on 1 October and had been introduced as a 30-day measure, according to Il Sole 24 ORE, so the extension turns a short-term step into protection that runs through the winter months. La Stampa reported that the measure was originally due to expire at the end of October. Eni had confirmed its own extension to the same date three days before Q8's announcement. In its note, the company said the decision was meant to answer the needs the government had expressed.

“Q8 Italia intends to provide a concrete contribution in response to the needs expressed by the government, combining support for consumers with a responsible approach.”

How the measure will be applied

Q8 said the extension will follow a modular approach that takes into account the different operating models across its distribution network. The company said it would keep supporting dealers and partners so that the economic sustainability of the supply chain is preserved. It also reserved the right to define the application rules, which will depend on market developments and supply conditions. The wording echoes the statement issued at the end of September, when the company launched the cap with a start date of 1 October and described a modular approach suited to the different realities of its distribution system.

Kuwait, Eni and the consumer groups

Il Sole 24 ORE linked the Q8 decision to a bilateral meeting on Friday, 23 October, in Kuwait City, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held talks with Kuwait's emir, Misha'al Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabahed, during a brief visit. According to that account, the emir had expressed availability to back an extension of the measure. An Arabic-language ANSA report said Kuwait showed readiness to extend the cap on petrol and diesel, and that Q8 had already applied it in the weeks before. Codacons welcomed the decision and said it had asked for the discounts to run until year end.

“Q8, after Eni, has accepted our request to extend the duration of the discounts until the end of the year.”

The consumer association said high crude prices and the continuing crisis in the Middle East keep pump prices from falling. It asked that the ceiling not be raised, noting that Italians have faced higher fuel costs since March and have already lost considerable sums on refuelling. Codacons urged other fuel brands that have launched discounts and caps to extend them to the end of the year as well.

What comes next

La Stampa noted it remains to be seen whether other fuel brands will follow Q8 and Eni, in line with the price freeze requested by Palazzo Chigi. Q8 said it will define the application rules as market and supply conditions evolve, so the details of the measure could change during the period. Codacons's support is conditional on the cap not being raised, which makes the level of the ceiling the point to watch. The timeline below sets out the key dates in the cap's history so far.