Follow us on Google
The fuel prices for diesel and gasoline in Germany have reached their highest level since 2022. When will refueling become cheaper again – and what drivers can do now.
Dortmund – Two euros for a liter of diesel. Before the Iran war, the price was 1.73 euros. Diesel now costs an average of 2.19 euros, Super E10 over 2.04 euros. The last time refueling was this expensive was in the summer of 2022, as the ADAC reports.
Fuel prices over two euros: When will refueling finally become cheaper again?
Table of Contents
- Fuel prices over two euros: When will refueling finally become cheaper again?
- ADAC expert on fuel prices: Gasoline is disproportionate to the price of oil
- Gas prices are directly related to the war in the Middle East
- Fuel price increases only once a day – Austria is leading the way
- Fuel prices will fall again – it’s just unclear when
The reason: the war in the Middle East. Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz. A fifth of the world’s oil normally flows through this strait.
The price of oil shot from 72 to 120 US dollars per barrel at times. It is now around $92 (as of March 12). But drivers don’t notice anything at the pump.
The answer has a name: the rocket and feather effect. If the price of oil rises, fuel prices immediately shoot up – like a rocket. If it falls again, prices will only fall slowly – like a feather.
ADAC expert on fuel prices: Gasoline is disproportionate to the price of oil
ADAC fuel market expert Christian Laberer confirms: The current gasoline price is disproportionate to the price of oil. Experience has shown that oil companies pass on falling costs much more slowly.
The gas station interest group even speaks of “rip-offs” and “predatory capitalism,” like that Spiegel reported. The corporations had bought oil at cheaper prices and were now selling it at significantly higher prices.
More car topics
Cheap refueling: Customs now makes the last option more difficult for drivers
Police warn: 1,300 violations in just a few minutes because no one knows this traffic sign
The “sweet spot method” saves drivers hundreds of euros in fuel costs
Nobody can give a specific date when prices will fall again. Fuel prices are directly linked to the war in the Middle East. As long as Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, oil will remain scarce and expensive.
The conditions for falling prices are clear: the conflict must end and the strait must become free again. Only then can oil deliveries flow unhindered. ADAC expert Laberer says: “As soon as the situation calms down, prices must fall quickly.”
Fuel price increases only once a day – Austria is leading the way
US President Trump considers the Iran war to be “almost over”. Experts remain skeptical. The federal government is also releasing strategic oil reserves and plans to limit price increases at gas stations to once a day – following the Austrian model WDR reported. It is not yet clear when this rule will apply. Three savings tips for your next refueling stop:
- Refuel in the evening: Fuel prices are lowest between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The most expensive time is between 7 and 8 a.m.
- Compare prices: The ADAC Drive app, Tankerkönig or Clever Tanken show current prices at over 14,000 gas stations. The differences are up to seven cents per liter.
- Refuel with E10 instead of E5: Almost every petrol engine built after 2010 can tolerate E10. This saves five to six cents per liter.
- Filling up abroad – the Netherlands and Denmark are more expensive – but the other neighboring countries currently have cheaper fuel prices.
This is how drivers can tell whether their gasoline engine can tolerate E10:
The quickest check is to look at the tank cap. Most vehicles have a sticker that says “E5”, “E10” or “E5/E10” – this shows directly which fuels are approved. If you can’t find anything there, you can use the DAT list at e10tanken.de: Simply enter the make, model and year of manufacture and the database will immediately spit out whether the E10 has been approved. Alternatively, the information can also be found in the operating instructions, mostly in the “Fuel” or “Refueling” chapter. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also ask the manufacturer directly – via the hotline or on the website.
The rule of thumb: Almost all petrol engines built from 2010/2011 can tolerate E10 without any problems. Caution is particularly advised with older models because the higher ethanol content can attack seals and pipes. Source: ADAC
Fuel prices will fall again – it’s just unclear when
Millions of drivers feel the consequences of the Iran war every day at the pump. A quick end to the high fuel prices is not in sight. But if you fill up your tank cleverly, you will save several euros every time you fill up. Prices will fall again – the only question is: when.
