A small, family-owned gas station in the rural town of Havelte has been making headlines after being named the country’s cheapest fuel provider. According to a recent study by MultiTankcard, Kreuze Gas Station consistently offered the lowest prices for E10 gasoline throughout 2024.
Gerald Meijer, the commercial director of Kreuze, expressed surprise at the unexpected attention. “It’s been overwhelming,” he told RTV Drenthe. “I’ve been inundated with messages from people congratulating us and wanting to know our secret.”
The study, which analyzed data from over 3,500 gas stations, found that Kreuze’s average price for a liter of E10 was just €1.7125. This was significantly cheaper than the national average and even undercut other Drenthe-based stations, such as Fieten Olie in Steenwijk and Rogat.
Meijer attributes the station’s success to hard work and a hands-on approach. “We’re a small company, and we do everything ourselves,” he said. “From transporting the fuel to maintaining the pumps, we’re involved in every step of the process. This allows us to keep our costs down and pass the savings on to our customers.”
The study also revealed a broader trend: gas stations located outside of major cities and away from highways tend to offer lower prices. Smaller towns like Meppel, Heerenveen, and Peel en Maas were identified as having some of the most affordable fuel in the Netherlands. In contrast, islands like Ameland, with limited competition and high transportation costs, had the highest prices.
MultiTankcard’s research showed that, on average, gas stations not located near highways were 17.5 cents per liter cheaper in 2024. This gap has been widening in recent years, as the cost of transporting fuel has increased.
While the news of Kreuze’s success has brought a lot of attention to the town of Havelte, Meijer remains humble. He plans to continue offering competitive prices and providing excellent service to his customers.
