Fuel discounts ensure fuel prices fall sharply at the start

At the start, the fuel discount caused fuel prices to fall sharply in many places. Petrol and diesel suddenly became cheaper around midnight. On the fuel price portal Tankerkönig, the Germany-wide average prices fell by around 10 to 11 cents between 11:41 p.m. and 12:41 a.m.

By morning, things had fallen significantly further: at 8 a.m., the ADAC determined a nationwide average price of 2.062 euros for Super E10. That was 14.5 cents less than at the same time on Wednesday. Diesel cost an average of 2,209 euros at 8 a.m. - that was 15.2 cents less 24 hours earlier. “This means that a large part of the tax relief of around 17 cents has already been passed on to consumers,” says the transport club, assessing the current prices.

E10 often under 2 euros

In many places, premium gasoline of the cheaper E10 variety was offered for less than 2 euros, as can be seen from the ADAC portal. However, there are regional differences here: there were many such offers in Munich, Stuttgart and Leipzig. In Berlin there were numerous, but in Hamburg and Cologne there were only a few or hardly any such offers. However, prices for the recently significantly more expensive diesel fuel generally remained well above two euros.

However, since the introduction of the 12 o'clock rule, the morning has been a comparatively better time to refuel. Prices often fall a little further in the late morning, but then rise sharply at midday - often by more than 20 cents per liter. The ADAC announced that it would keep an eye on “what it looks like after 12 p.m. when the daily increase is added”. The prices showed what dynamics exist in the fuel market and that there is scope for lower prices.

16.7 cents per liter tax rebate

Since midnight, a tax reduction of 16.7 cents per liter has applied to gasoline and diesel leaving tank farms and refineries. How fully this will be passed on to consumers will become apparent in the next few days. There is no direct obligation for gas stations to lower prices. In addition, calculations are complex. However, the ADAC warned that the tax cut should “neither be collected again with the price jump at 12 p.m. nor in the coming days”.

Prices had already fallen on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, according to the ADAC, a liter of E10 cost 2.242 euros on a national daily average - that was 3.4 cents less than on Monday, while a liter of diesel cost 2.390 euros and was therefore 3.5 cents cheaper than on Monday.

The previous fuel discount was already controversial as to how completely it was passed on. Even then, there was already a significant decline in the middle of the night. Researchers at the Ifo Institute have already announced that they want to analyze the transfer in detail - as they did with the first fuel discount.

September was by far the most expensive fueling month so far

The federal government launched the fuel discount in response to the currently extremely high fuel prices. September was by far the most expensive month to refuel so far. This was even reflected in the inflation rate.

The measure is controversial; critics point out, among other things, that the discount is inaccurate, reduces the incentive to save fuel and does not fully reach consumers. The petroleum industry contradicts the latter. Proponents point out, among other things, that there is currently no better way to relieve the burden on drivers.