In response to reports from outraged drivers about high fuel prices in Bolesławiec, we sent the following inquiry to PKN Orlen—the largest producer and seller of fuel in Poland:

On behalf of the readers of the istotne.pl Bolesławiec website and newspaper, I am requesting a comment on the very high fuel prices at PKN Orlen stations in Bolesławiec (Lower Silesian Voivodeship). The matter concerns the price difference between PKN Orlen stations in Bolesławiec and other PKN Orlen stations in the region. The difference in the price per litre of fuel has already reached 30–40 groszy.

Drivers and residents of Bolesławiec are outraged by this and are sending us photos of prices at other PKN Orlen stations, asking what causes this and why it is so expensive in Bolesławiec. For example, at a PKN Orlen station in Lwówek Śląski, just 18 km away, fuel is several dozen groszy cheaper. It is also much cheaper at your stations in larger cities in the region (voivodeship), such as Jelenia Góra and Lubin. We are receiving reports that it is even cheaper at fuel stations in Wrocław.

We kindly request a comment on this matter.

And here is the company’s response:

Dear Editor,

differences in fuel prices at stations in different locations are a normal phenomenon and occur throughout the country. These prices are shaped by many factors that may vary depending on the location. These include, among other things, the cost of acquiring or using the land on which the station is located, the costs of operating and maintaining the station, as well as sales potential and the market environment.

Yours sincerely,

Press Team
Media Relations Department | External Communication Office
Corporate Communications Office | Corporate Communication Office
ORLEN S.A.
12 Bielańska Street, 00-085 Warsaw

It turns out that, for Orlen, differences in fuel prices among its stations are a normal phenomenon and occur throughout the country.

This response may be surprising to drivers and residents of Bolesławiec. For them, a situation in which the price difference reaches 40 or even 50 groszy per litre is not normal.

What do you think?

(the photo showing fuel prices was taken on 5 January 2024, at the PKN Orlen station in Bolesławiec, on aleja Tysiąclecia).