The CO2 tax also plays a role in the election campaign for the Bundestag election.
Many voters fear that refueling could become even more expensive after the election.
Berlin - The CO2 tax has been in effect in Germany since the beginning of 2021. Drivers in particular notice this: Compared to the previous year, diesel was eight cents more expensive, petrol seven cents more expensive. And it is not getting any less: As the ADAC announced, the fuel prices in Germany continue to rise. Many motorists fear that prices could rise even further after the federal election: Depending on which parties are in power, consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets when refueling.
The CO2 tax, which was passed by the current grand coalition, already made fuel more expensive by 25 euros per ton.
According to the current resolution, five euros should be paid annually, so that a ton of fuel will cost 55 euros more in 2025.
Even if the next government does not advocate price increases, they will still increase.
As the election manifestos of the five established parties in the Bundestag show, none of the parties wants to reverse this decision.
For some, however, it doesn't go far enough - they want more.
The CO2 tax in the election manifesto of the CDU, SPD and Co. for the federal election
Focus Online worked
with ADAC to calculate various scenarios after the federal election based on the parties' election programs. The online portal assumes that the current resolutions of the government from the Union and the SPD on the CO2 tax will be retained. The surprising result of the calculations: Particularly with the participation of a party in government, there could be sudden increases in fuel prices in Germany.
The analysis of the election manifestos shows that the Left, SPD and the Union do not go into their election manifestos on detailed measures or changes with regard to the CO2 price.
The SPD, for example, does not plan any specific changes.
In the election manifesto of the Greens, on the other hand, the party advocates tightening the CO2 tax: in 2023 it should be increased to 60 euros per ton.
According to calculations by
Focus Online,
this results in
a fuel price of 1.67 euros per liter for petrol and 1.51 euros for diesel.
Price driver FDP: fuel price increase to 2.47 euros per liter possible according to the choice
According to
Focus Online,
the
real price driver is
the FDP.
In their election manifesto, the Free Democrats rely on comprehensive emissions trading in order not to exceed the CO2 limit.
On the other hand, the FDP largely rejects state requirements for achieving the climate targets.
However, the CO2 certificates that are to be traded are becoming more and more expensive.
This also has an effect on fuel prices: As the ADAC calculated, these could rise by 80 cents.
If the FDP prevails with its demand for an expansion of emissions trading to include the entire transport sector, the price for diesel could then rise to 2.31 euros per liter, and the price of petrol even to 2.47 euros.
To compensate, the FDP relies on the use of synthetic fuels - but these will also be more expensive in the first few years.
Possible government coalition |
Price for gasoline (E10) |
Price for diesel |
|---|---|---|
Union / FDP / The Greens |
1.64 euros to 2.47 euros |
1.48 euros to 2.31 euros |
Union / SPD / FDP |
1.64 euros to 2.47 euros |
1.48 euros to 2.31 euros |
SPD / FDP / The Greens |
1.67 euros to 2.47 euros |
1.51 euros to 2.31 euros |
SPD / The Greens / The Left |
1.67 euros |
1.51 euros |
Jamaica, Germany, traffic light: These coalitions bring the biggest price increases for gasoline and diesel after the federal election
In the scenarios of possible coalitions, it is conceivable that the FDP will prevail in a coalition with the Union or the SPD with their demands, since the other parties do not make any concrete proposals.
The price increases could therefore be at the upper end of the range.
In a coalition with the Greens, the CO2 price could result from a compromise between the Greens and the FDP.
In a government coalition without the FDP, no large price increases are foreseeable. However, it is difficult to make predictions for a possible government made up of the Greens, the SPD and the Left, as neither coalition partners provide any precise information in their programs - the Greens could prevail here. With our brand new consumer newsletter you will always stay up to date on consumer information and product recalls.
