Overview
- Diesel averaged €2.346 per liter on Thursday, a new high after Wednesday’s €2.327 record, according to ADAC data.
- Since Wednesday, stations may raise prices only once at 12:00, and ADAC recorded steep noon spikes on Thursday of about 9.5 cents for Super E10 and roughly 11.7 to 11.8 cents for diesel.
- ADAC and consumer groups say firms are adding a risk premium because they can raise only once daily, and they urge the Bundeskartellamt to act as violations of the rule can draw fines up to €100,000.
- The coalition is weighing relief options that include a higher commuter allowance, a new cash credit called Mobility Money, temporary cuts to energy taxes, a fuel price cap, or a windfall tax, with SPD’s Armand Zorn backing a cap and levy and Economy Minister Katherina Reiche opposing a windfall tax.
- Economists and the Finance Ministry note VAT receipts rise with pump prices but overall tax income may not, since households often cut other spending when fuel costs jump.