Several people experiment with some tricks to try to save as much gas as possible. In some cases, the tricks are absolutely legal. Other times, however, real scams are staged against the unfortunate owners of petrol stations. And are you aware of the spring trick? Is it legal? Here’s everything you need to know about this topic.
2022 was marked by a real one soaring petrol and diesel prices. International instability, caused by the outbreak of war between Ukraine and Russia, has set in motion a whole series of price increases in every sector. Even the one concerning fuels was no exception to this incredible rise in prices.
Only a few government decrees, such as the one on cutting excise duties on the cost of fuel, have allowed an improvement in the situation. In recent weeks, the price of petrol and diesel has dropped slightly compared to the previous months, making all Italian motorists breathe a sigh of relief.
The extension on the cut of excise duties expires on December 31st. What will happen in 2023? The situation is not yet clear. Everything suggests that nothing will be touched, so as not to increase the price per liter of diesel and petrol by about 18 cents compared to today’s values. However, confirmations are expected in the coming days.
But are you aware of the spring trick when refueling? Many people use tricks to try to pay less when stopping at the petrol station. But Is this method legal? Here’s everything you need to know.
The trick to saving money on petrol: is it legal? Here’s everything you need to know
Many motorists try to save fuel thanks to a conservative driving style, performed without sudden braking and acceleration. Furthermore, it is always advisable to choose the cheapest petrol station in your area of residence. These are absolutely legal solutions. But Do you know that some people carry out illegal schemes to save petrol and have it almost completely free? Here’s what you need to know about it.
One of the many illegal tricks devised by some motorists is called spring method. What’s it about? In practice, it allows “crafty” to steal fuel at each petrol station with a method absolutely not allowed. By putting 5 euros in the self-service till, the fuel thief inserts the dispenser in the filler and – fraudulently – start hopping on the pump. This way it tries to get as much petrol out of it as possible.
A man in Rimini ran this scam from 2009 to 2014, managing to steal over 300 liters of fuel. In many cases he didn’t even need to enter 5 euros. He lurked at the vending machine and exploited the self-service of others. Once another motorist had finished refueling, he would grab the pump and start hopping on it, stealing a few drops each time.
A fraudulent and ingenious plan at the same time. It “cost” the thief a lot of time, but in the long run he always managed to secure free petrol for his car. After 13 years of investigation, the man was sentenced to pay compensation for all the stolen petrol and to pay a very heavy fine. due to the extensive damage done to the owner of the dispenser.