Fuel prices in Germany: tank discount threatens to fizzle out

Created: 05/30/2022, 12:04 p.m

By: Simon Mones

From June 1st, diesel and petrol will become cheaper.

But the tank discount could fizzle out - and even lead to higher fuel prices.

Berlin – The time has come on June 1: a little more than two months after the announcement by the federal government, the fuel rebate will take effect in the form of a reduction in energy tax to the European minimum.

In the next three months, petrol should be 35.2 cents cheaper and diesel 16.7 cents cheaper.

But it is unclear whether the relief for motorists will actually come about.

Rather, it could even lead to chaos at the gas stations, because there are long queues, fuel shortages and higher fuel prices.

The reason: The mineral oil companies do not have to pass the tax reduction on to drivers and can pocket part of the benefits themselves, as reported by "bild.de".

The tank discount is intended to lower fuel prices, but the effect threatens to fizzle out.

(Iconic image) © Marijan Murat/dpa

Fuel prices in Germany: Tank discount threatens to fizzle out

"Ultimately, the oil companies themselves decide how much of the lower taxes will go to the drivers," warns the ADAC.

There is also criticism from the CDU traffic expert Thomas Bareiß (47): “There is a great danger that the long-overdue tax relief will not reach the driver.

If the federal government allows the oil companies to improve their balance sheets at the expense of the taxpayers, it would be a scandal.”

In addition: In the past few days, fuel prices have risen significantly again and are well over two euros per liter.

A further increase is not excluded.

"We expect that the mineral oil companies will artificially drive up prices in order to swallow up the tank discount so that cash can continue to be paid despite the discount," said the head of the petrol station association TIV, Peter Hengstermann (72) of the picture.

And the ADAC also comes to a similar assessment: "The fact that the price of petrol has risen so sharply in recent weeks cannot be explained by the general conditions such as the price of crude oil and the dollar exchange rate."

Fuel prices in Germany: diesel and petrol could become scarce

And Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (52, Greens) also warned on “RTL/ntv” that fuel prices could rise in the short term “if everyone drives to the gas station on June 1st”.

As a result, petrol and diesel “suddenly became an even more valuable commodity.

Then we lowered the price, but in reality it's going up”.

Motorists should therefore drive to the gas station again before June 1st.

Even without the tank discount, you can save a few euros.

Diesel and petrol are often cheapest on Wednesdays – and fuel prices usually drop again in the evening hours.

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By the weekend, the rush should have returned to normal, according to the ADAC.

However, bottlenecks could occur in “individual cases”, so the petrol station association TIV advises: “Play it safe and have enough fuel in the tank.” The large petrol station chains have announced that everything is being done to ensure the supply guarantee.