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Germany’s Diesel Price Hits New Record as Noon-Only Hikes Backfire

A noon-only hike rule produced larger mid-day jumps, prompting proposals for a price cap, an excess-profits levy, commuter relief, cheaper rail tickets.

Overview

  • ADAC data, which on Sunday captured fresh noon spikes, showed diesel jumping about 7.3 cents to €2.488 per liter as Super E10 rose 7.1 cents to €2.239.
  • Since April 1, stations may raise prices only once at 12:00, a policy ADAC says is counterproductive because companies bunch bigger increases at midday, including roughly 9.4 cents for diesel and 8 cents for E10 on Saturday.
  • Political pressure is rising as SPD leaders push an excess-profits tax and a flexible fuel price cap, Consumer Minister Stefanie Hubig backs a cap, and Economy Minister Katherina Reiche rejects a speed limit and broad tax cuts but floats a higher commuter allowance.
  • The competition authority gained new powers under the fuel package, yet has so far only sought information from oil firms, drawing calls to act as daily averages set fresh highs.
  • Large border gaps of about 50 to 60 cents per liter make refueling in Austria and Czechia attractive for Bavarians, a difference driven in part by Germany’s higher fuel taxes and VAT.