'Tank tourism': holidays not over yet

The EU commissioner responsible for tax and customs-related issues is set to table a proposal to raise the minimum level of diesel tax imposed by member states, in a bid to cut down on 'tank tourism.' However, given the lukewarm reception that the proposal has received so far, and the fact that unanimity is required, the proposal is unlikely to be adopted.

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Aldi: discounter looks set to challenge major players with new European fuel retailing venture

Aldi has entered the fuel retailing market by opening three service stations in the Austrian town of Salzburg, offering heavily discounted fuel. With such a strong brand image and efficient business model, Aldi is likely to extend its petrol retailing presence across Austria and Europe, and may soon pose a challenge to the more established industry players.

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Alpha Airports: takeover heralds further consolidation

Alpha Airports has approved a GBP193.6 million takeover by Italy's Autogrill. Autogrill's proposed purchase of Alpha Airports follows a week of activity, which has seen fast-food operator Autogrill building up its stake in the UK-based airline services firm. The move will provide Alpha with necessary scale on a global level to compete in the fast-growing and consolidating airport services market.

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Alternative fuels: biodiesel eclipses autogas

Statoil's recently announced that all diesel sold at its Swedish fuel stations will be blended with 5% rapeseed-based biodiesel. Statoil's move is a further indication that biodiesel is becoming the mainstream alternative fuel of choice in Europe.

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Alternative fuels: CNG is emerging as a serious contender

Sales of compressed natural gas (CNG) cars have increased significantly over the last two years in Germany, and indeed in Europe as a whole. As CNG vehicles can be refueled at home, they offer added practicality, and this, added to the growing backlash against biofuels, gives CNG the potential to become a significant player in the alternative fuels market over the next few years.

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Anadarko/Apache: slipping up on oil

The country's two largest independent oil producers are suffering from lower commodity prices and overcapacity. However, the cyclical nature of the upstream oil market means that their long-term future should still be positive. Their best bet for now is to hold tight and plan for a better future, investing in new reserves that will not come online for a few years.

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Are UK consumers fully convinced by forecourt shops?

Given the rising top-up shopping trend, the UK's convenience retail industry is expanding rapidly. However, fuel retailers have not been able to fully exploit the opportunity, and their efforts thus far have been inadequate in changing consumers' unfavorable perceptions of forecourt shops.

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Autogas is no auto-choice

New research shows that Europe has significant potential for increased utilization of cleaner burning and efficient automotive LPG (autogas). Existing levels of LPG penetration and availability of supply are sufficient to prevent any major barriers to wider use, though stronger government-led incentives of the type seen in other markets are required to help accelerate the process.

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Autogrill and Elior: driving into Germany

Italian retailer Autogrill and French-owned Elior have both announced new tenancy arrangements with the German motorway services provider Tank & Rast. Given that Tank & Rast holds 90% of all German motorway concessions, the partnership will strengthen Autogrill's and Elior's expansion potential in Europe's largest motorway services market.

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Automotive LPG: demand will fall 0.9% per year in North America

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