Sweden Braces for Fuel Rationing Amid Energy Crisis

0:00On April 23rd, Sweden's government is warning that fuel rationing might hit in the coming months thanks to the war in Iran slamming their economy. Hard, Prime Minister Ulf Christensen says they're not planning it yet, but they're ready if needed and they'll give plenty of notice. The impact jumped from limited to significant raising risks of higher inflation and slower growth. Finance Minister Elizabeth Spontessen called this the worst energy crisis in ages. They've already slashed taxes on petrol and diesel to ease the pain for households. If the war drags on, expect calls to conserve fuel first, push public transport, and maybe ramp up Sweden's own power from solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear. An updated economic forecast drops May 1st. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz standoff has shut down a key route for one-fifth of global oil and gas, spiking prices everywhere. Slovenia kicked off EU fuel rationing at 50 liters per day for private cars and 200 for

1:01priority users like farmers. Places like Egypt closed shops early, Sri Lanka went to a four-day work week and others imposed blackouts or travel curbs. Airlines are reeling too, with Lufthansa and KLM cancelling hundreds of flights over sky-high fuel costs. The International Energy Agency warns Europe has maybe six weeks of jet fuel left. Now the EU's eyeing mandatory stockpiles and even redistribution to fixed shortages. Tensions keep rising as President Trump extended his ceasefire with Iran, but ordered the U.S. Navy to shoot any boats laying mines in the strait while minesweepers triple their efforts. Sweden's just the latest bracing for what's turning into a global energy crunch.