Criticism of the fuel discount: Economists and VCD criticize the relief package

At the start of the fuel discount, economists once again criticized the reduction in energy taxes on diesel and gasoline. Economist Veronika Grimm expressed doubts to the Augsburger Allgemeine that 100 percent of the relief would reach consumers.

In addition, the costs for the relief package are higher than they initially appear. The money raised for relief is missing “elsewhere for investments or other future-oriented expenses,” said Grimm. It is "cynical" that politicians are subsidizing the driving of cars with combustion engines at the expense of the younger generation, since 30 percent of the federal budget is financed through debt.

The ecological transport club VCD also criticized the fuel discount with a view to the increase in the price of the Germany ticket from 2027. The VCD chairwoman Christiane Rohleder said: “The fuel discount is an expensive watering can solution. For around 2.5 billion euros in tax money, the costs for drivers will fall by an average of less than 40 euros by the end of the year. At the same time, mobility by bus and train will become more expensive, said Rohleder.