ADAC criticizes the 12 o'clock rule at gas stations and calls for its abolition

The timing of a price increase at gas stations is more predictable thanks to the 12 o'clock rule, but the prices are not lower because of it, complains the ADAC and calls for the rule to be abolished, because the price difference within a day has increased significantly.

The so-called 12 o'clock rule has existed in Germany since April 1st. Since then, gas stations have only been allowed to increase the prices for gasoline and diesel once a day - at 12 p.m. You can reduce prices at any time.

The ADAC is not alone in its criticism of the regulation. The Leibniz Center for European Economic Research (ZEW) wrote in an analysis at the end of April that the one-off price increase would lead to higher average prices. “Prices are systematically increased during lunchtime into the evening hours, while prices tend to fall below the daily average in the morning hours,” it said at the time. Before the 12 o'clock rule, consumers would have had numerous opportunities throughout the day to fill up at cheaper prices. The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research also rated the measure negatively.

Reducing the energy tax is the right step

The automobile club sees the temporary reduction in energy tax decided by the federal government as the right step. This is currently the realistic option to provide relief for drivers. It must be ensured that the tax cut is passed on as completely as possible at the pump.

The ADAC wants to constructively accompany the announced fuel price cap: a state-set maximum price could protect against extreme price peaks in the short term. However, it does not automatically guarantee permanently lower prices. In particular, the specific amount and the calculation of the permissible price are crucial.