The new fuel price rules have led to significantly higher prices at lunchtime. The nationwide average price for a liter Great E10 climbed from 2,099 euros to 2,147 euros, as the ADAC automobile club announced. For diesel, drivers then had to pay 2,347 euros instead of 2,301 euros.
Since April 1st, a new regulation has been in effect that gas stations are only allowed to increase prices once a day at 12 p.m., but can reduce them several times. The federal government was reacting to the drastic price increase caused by the war USA and Israel against the Iran.
Just last Tuesday, Super E10 reached new highs for the current year at 2,107 euros and diesel at 2,316 euros. Prices have risen sharply since the end of February. Since February 28th, E10 petrol has risen in price by almost 36 cents, and diesel by more than 59 cents, according to an ADAC overview.
ADAC doubts the effect of the new regulation
The Federal Cartel Office has already formed a new department to enforce the new legislative package. In the future, this should deal exclusively with the mineral oil and fuel sector, the authority announced. “Now we can vigorously pursue enforcement,” said Cartel Office President Andreas Mundt. In addition to the twelve o’clock rule, the new, stricter antitrust law should also be reviewed. In the future, the authority will be able to take action more easily against suspected excessive prices at the refinery or wholesale level.
The ADAC sees the price increases as an indication that the new regulation is failing to achieve its goal. “Instead, the lower flexibility of oil companies apparently leads to uncertainties such as a possible rising oil price being anticipated,” said a spokesman. It is questionable to what extent the opportunity to reduce prices at any time will be used.