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Is the government, with record prices and profits, thanking Petrol?
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/8/2026

Is the government, with record prices and profits, thanking Petrol?

The article reports that diesel fuel prices in Slovenia have reached record highs, with petrol stations benefiting from record margins. Opposition leader Alenka Bratušek criticizes the ruling government, accusing it of failing to reduce margins despite high prices. She specifically points to the government's handling of fuel price regulations and its impact on smaller retailers, referencing past protests by Petrol over lost profits. Bratušek argues that the current government has maintained high margins for Petrol and other fuel traders, forcing drivers to pay more. She also criticizes the government for reducing subsidies for electric vehicles, which she claims has slowed the transition to green technologies. The article highlights the political tension between the opposition and the government regarding energy policy and economic management.

Chinese automaker Deepal has introduced its new hybrid SUV, the S05 PHEV, in Slovenia amid rising energy and fuel prices. The vehicle combines electric propulsion with a gasoline engine, offering a range of approximately 100 kilometers on electricity alone and a combined total exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The system power stands at 190 kW (258 horsepower), with a battery capacity of 18.4 kWh. Starting price is set at €34,990, with an additional €4,100 discount available until the end of the year. The S05 PHEV, part of the Changan brand under the Chinese manufacturer Deepal, joins the company's lineup of gasoline and fully electric models in Slovenia. According to Andrej Lazar, director of Crossroad, the official importer for Changan in Slovenia, this technology is expected to drive the highest sales volume for the brand in the country. Since entering the Slovenian market earlier this year, around 250 vehicles have been delivered to customers. Crossroad and Petrol have launched a joint promotional campaign, which saw the brand achieve a 3.5 percent market share in August. Despite government subsidies for electric vehicles being phased out, Lazar remains optimistic about the sales potential of the first plug-in hybrid model from Deepal. He emphasized that the design of the S05, known from the fully electric SUV, along with its technology and pricing, makes it one of the most desired models in the C+ segment. The S05 measures 4.6 meters in length, with a wheelbase of 2.88 meters providing ample interior space. Its cargo capacity ranges from 552 to 1,310 liters. The ultra-hybrid powertrain, based on the new CPA platform, is designed to handle daily commutes efficiently using electric power while incorporating the gasoline engine for longer trips. This setup aims to address concerns over limited range and high fuel costs in Europe, where electricity prices have risen by 45 percent since 2019 and fuel prices have exceeded €2 per liter in many areas. According to Lazar, the ultra-hybrid system allows for a combined fuel consumption rate of 2.03 liters per 100 kilometers under the WLTP standard, increasing to 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers when the battery is depleted. The powertrain features a permanent magnet electric motor producing 172 kW, paired with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine adding 63 kW. The system is optimized for urban driving, frequent stops, and idling, ensuring maximum efficiency from the electric motor. The lithium iron phosphate battery can be charged via alternating current at up to 11 kW and direct current at up to 55 kW. A Vehicle-to-Load function enables powering external electrical devices directly from the vehicle. Fuel prices in Slovenia have reached record highs, with diesel reaching €1.939 per liter despite regulatory efforts to control costs. Opposition figures have criticized the government for allowing record profit margins for fuel retailers, particularly Petrol, suggesting these profits stem from previous political maneuvers. Alenka Bratušek, former prime minister and current MP for the Freedom Movement, accused the government of failing to reduce these margins, arguing that consumers bear the cost twice, once at the pump and again through reduced subsidies for electric vehicles. She highlighted the impact of subsidy cuts on consumer expectations for green technologies independent of fossil fuels.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Žurnal24 logoŽurnal24IndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/8/2026
China's Deepal with new technology in S05 over high energy and fuel prices

The article discusses the introduction of the Chinese brand Deepal S05 PHEV hybrid vehicle in Slovenia, highlighting its technological features, pricing, and market strategy. The car offers up to 100 kilometers of electric range and a total range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. It starts at €34,990 with additional discounts available. The vehicle is part of Changan's expansion into hybrid models, emphasizing technology, design, and cost-effectiveness. Crossroad, the import company, reports strong market performance, particularly through a promotional campaign with Petrol, and plans to expand service locations across Slovenia. The hybrid technology is positioned as a solution to high fuel and electricity costs in Europe.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a new vehicle model and its market impact without overtly favoring any political ideology. While it mentions economic factors like rising fuel prices, it does not take a clear stance on political policies or ideologies. The focus remains on product features,市场(

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed specifications of the Deepal S05 PHEV, including range, power output, and pricing information. These details are likely sourced from official product data and press releases. The mention of a promotional campaign with Petrol and sales figures appears to be based on repo

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on product features and market performance without overt political or ideological commentary. It presents information about the vehicle and its marketing strategy objectively, without taking sides or expressing personal opinions about the broader implic

Večer logoVečerIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 75Objective 609/8/2026
Is the government, with record prices and profits, thanking Petrol?

The article reports that diesel fuel prices in Slovenia have reached record highs, with petrol stations benefiting from record margins. Opposition leader Alenka Bratušek criticizes the ruling government, accusing it of failing to reduce margins despite high prices. She specifically points to the government's handling of fuel price regulations and its impact on smaller retailers, referencing past protests by Petrol over lost profits. Bratušek argues that the current government has maintained high margins for Petrol and other fuel traders, forcing drivers to pay more. She also criticizes the government for reducing subsidies for electric vehicles, which she claims has slowed the transition to green technologies. The article highlights the political tension between the opposition and the government regarding energy policy and economic management.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through the lens of opposition criticism against the ruling government, using strong language such as 'rekordne zahvalne marže' (record thank-you margins) and 'neukrepanja' (inaction). It emphasizes the negative impact on citizens and highlights the government's failure,

Why factuality (75): The article reports on record-high diesel prices and criticizes the government for maintaining high margins for Petrol, citing an opposition statement from Alenka Bratušek. It references past protests by Petrol over price regulations and mentions the abolition of subsidies for electric vehicles. Whi

Why objectivity (60): The tone is clearly critical of the government and supportive of the opposition, using emotionally charged language such as 'udarila brez milosti' and 'zahvalno maržo.' The article frames the situation as a failure of government policy and highlights the negative impact on citizens, showing a clear

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