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German Pump Prices Jump Nine Cents as CO2 Costs and Fuel Rules Tighten

The Bundeskartellamt attributes the jump to regulatory costs under intensified oversight.

Overview

  • Average prices for petrol and diesel rose about nine cents per liter since the New Year, according to the Bundeskartellamt.
  • For 2026 the transport CO2 charge sits in a €55–€65 per tonne corridor, with certificate auctions scheduled to start in July and not yet influencing retail prices.
  • Companies that fail to secure certificates later in the year may face a €68 per tonne fallback price, a scenario that could push pump prices higher.
  • Fuel suppliers face stricter requirements as the Treibhausminderungsquote increases to 12.1% and the multiple counting of biofuels ends, adding to costs.
  • The Bundeskartellamt is closely monitoring pricing and says cost pass-through is not automatic, while commuters receive partial relief via a 38‑cent‑per‑kilometer allowance from January 1.