I have been following the exchanges in the Bulletin recently about the hire-car fuel rip-off, and regret that because of travel and internet-access problems I am only able at this late date to offer a thought of my own.
I too have fallen foul of the "Full Tank Fee", but I believe that this is more than just a simple scam, it may possibly be unlawful and criminal.
The price motorists pay anywhere in Europe consists of the basic fuel, plus special fuel taxes, plus VAT or equivalent.
When the hire company pays its suppliers, it too is paying all three elements, and from this payment, by one means of another, the taxes are remitted to the appropriate government office. When the fuel is sold on for the first time, the hirer contributes to the process properly and lawfully. But when the company charges a second time for the same fuel it is also duplicating the taxes as well as the basic fuel price, and these extra payments are certainly not remitted.
I do not believe that an analysis by the European Commission would consider this to be lawful practice.
Bryn Glover
Cracoe, North Yorkshire
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