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Fuel prices have become significantly more expensive since the start of the Iran war. The federal government wants to counteract this. But criticism comes from the industry.
Munich – Since the start of the Iran war at the end of February, prices for gasoline and diesel have gone through the roof. The federal government wants to counteract this with appropriate measures. Gas stations should only be allowed to increase prices once a day. In addition, the Federal Cartel Office should be able to take action against excessive prices more easily.
“From the ADAC’s perspective, it is correct that the currently high fuel prices and competition in the mineral oil market continue to receive a high level of political attention,” says a spokeswoman for the automobile club Münchner Merkur from Ippen.Media and brings two further suggestions into play. “From the ADAC’s perspective, the energy tax on fuels should be reduced in the short term in order to provide immediate relief to people.” In addition, an increase in the commuter allowance could help “to cushion permanently rising mobility costs”.
Merz government plans law against increased fuel prices: “It’s starting in the wrong place”
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Italy is also taking action against high fuel prices. In Austria, gas stations are only allowed to increase their prices three times a week. In addition, the mineral oil tax should be temporarily reduced and the option created to freeze margins along the value chain. According to the ADAC, “politics must examine and decide whether this also makes sense in Germany in terms of regulatory policy and antitrust law.” But one thing is certain for the automobile club: Germany should act quickly to relieve consumers.
The Federal Association of Independent Gas Stations and Independent German Mineral Oil Traders (bft) criticizes the federal government’s plan. “The draft law starts in the wrong place. It regulates prices at the pump without addressing the actual causes of price developments in wholesale, on the procurement markets and in government burdens,” explains Daniel Kaddik, general manager of the bft, in a statement. “Anyone who is only allowed to increase once a day will not calculate this increase tightly, but will add a safety margin.” This could lead to average prices rising.
Upon request of the Münchner Merkurs The bft rejects considerations of setting or freezing margins along the value chain by the state. “The fuel market in Germany is already characterized by intense competition and a high level of price transparency. Government intervention in pricing would distort this competition and place a disproportionate burden on smaller providers in particular,” Kaddik tells our editorial team. The bft therefore recommends taxing CO₂-neutral fuels to the European minimum level and considering a temporary reduction in energy tax in times of crisis.
For the social association Germany SoVD, the one-off price increase and a tightening of the Cartel Office’s supervision of abuse is a step in the right direction. However, excluding a price cap for oil and gasoline is a “very bad signal to people. They feel powerless against the arbitrary pricing of corporations,” says CEO Michaela Engelmeier to our editorial team.
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According to Andreas Mundt, President of the Federal Cartel Office, there is no instrument to prevent high fuel prices “virtually at the push of a button”. “Even an unusually high gap between the development of the crude oil price and the prices at the gas station would not constitute an immediate suspicion of illegal behavior by the companies,” explains Mundt when asked by Münchner Merkurs. However, the refinery and wholesale level, which is crucial for price formation, is constantly being examined.
Fuel measures could come as early as next week
The Bundestag discussed the planned fuel price adjustment law on Wednesday evening (March 18). Sebastian Roloff (SPD) announces that the law will be passed next week. A fuel discount is out of the question for Tilman Kuban (CDU/CSU). The Greens and the Left are calling for the temporary introduction of the excess profits tax for oil companies and the introduction of the 9 euro ticket.
The members of the government factions indicated possible further measures on Thursday (March 19). “If the crisis continues, we will make adjustments,” says SPD parliamentary group vice-president Armand Zorn. “If prices remain high, if pressure continues to spill over into other goods such as food and energy, then we will act.”
According to data from the ADAC, diesel has become 42 cents more expensive since the war began at the end of February, and premium grade E10 petrol has become more expensive by almost 27 cents. The increase had recently slowed. On a nationwide daily average on Wednesday (March 18), a liter of diesel cost 2,167 euros and a liter of E10 cost 2,044 euros. (Sources: own research, bft, dpa, AFP, Bundestag) (kas/sp)