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Even after the introduction of the tank discount, fuel prices at the pumps remain high
Photo: Daniel Reinhardt / dpa
Although not to the extent hoped for, the fuel discount will lead to falling petrol and diesel prices according to the assessment of the east German petrol station operators.
"We all expected a lot more," said Hans-Joachim Rühlemann, chairman of the Association of Garage and Gas Station Trades North-East, the German Press Agency.
The prices for petrol and diesel at gas stations in eastern Germany were around the 2 euro mark on Sunday morning.
In his opinion, the fact that fuel prices have not fallen as much as expected is due to the tense situation on the world markets.
The war in Ukraine, the announced oil embargo against Russia, but also an extremely high demand for diesel in the USA led to a shortage and thus to rising world market prices.
"The tank discount works in the end," said the head of the association.
However, due to the high procurement costs, it is not as strong as hoped.
According to Rühlemann, there is currently no sign of an increase in tank tourism to Poland, which has decreased "very significantly" with the introduction of the fuel price brake.
"If I live 20 kilometers from the border, I have to take a close look at the prices to see if it's worth it."
Mineral oil industry rejects Habeck's antitrust plans
In the debate about passing on the tank discount, the mineral oil industry is speaking out against Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck's plans to tighten up antitrust law.
Habeck wants to tighten antitrust law and, if necessary, also enable companies to be broken up.
In addition, it should be easier to siphon off illegal profits.
So far, such an approach has been subject to high hurdles.
"We consider considerations of sanctioning companies in the future without proof of violations or even wanting to break them up to be very problematic and from the point of view of the companies affected are incomprehensible," said the managing director of the Fuels and Energy Industry Association, Adrian Willig, of the dpa on request .
“We can very well understand the annoyance at increased fuel prices,” Willig continued.
He emphasized: "The energy tax cut will be passed on." Irrespective of the energy tax on petrol and diesel, which was reduced on June 1, fuel prices have risen worldwide in recent weeks.
"This is also noticeable at the gas stations in Germany."
ani/dpa