Recent analyses reveal thousands of violations of the fuel price rule that has been in effect in Germany since April 1. Around 3,800 of the nearly 15,000 service stations were flagged at least once during a nationwide data analysis; analysts recorded approximately 60,000 suspected unauthorized price hikes over a three-week period. However, service stations are permitted to raise their prices only once a day, at 12:00 p.m. At the same time, price fluctuations have reached historic highs, according to the ADAC. Consequently, depending on when they refuel, drivers may pay up to €9.20 more for 50 liters of diesel.
Violations affect roughly one in four gas stations
An analysis by SWR covered all reported price changes for gasoline and diesel. Around a quarter of the gas stations examined raised prices at least once outside the permitted timeframe. However, not every anomalous report automatically constitutes a violation of the law.
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Technical delays can shift the recorded timestamp. Nevertheless, the analysis showed that approximately 97 percent of the registered price hikes had an immediate impact at the pump. Furthermore, around 5,000 incidents occurred well before 11:00 a.m. or after 1:00 p.m.
Cartel Office Identifies Significant Discrepancies
The Federal Cartel Office now monitors price changes using automated systems. President Andreas Mundt confirmed that, in addition to minor timing discrepancies, there were cases involving significant irregularities. Consequently, these incidents cannot be attributed solely to technical teething problems.
Gas stations are required to report every price change to the Market Transparency Unit within five minutes. However, the Cartel Office only forwards suspicious datasets to the relevant state authorities. It is then up to the individual states to investigate and impose potential fines.
Unclear Jurisdictions Hinder Sanctions
Several federal states initially failed to designate the responsible authorities or did so only after a delay. This stalled the enforcement process regarding potential violations, despite the availability of extensive datasets. Although the law permits fines of up to 100,000 euros, imposing them requires each authority to have solid, case-specific evidence.
Saxony has since announced stricter enforcement measures. In that state, administrative districts and independent cities handle the fine proceedings. Other states must also establish their procedures to ensure that the automated monitoring system actually leads to the imposition of sanctions.
Price disparities reach new highs
The “12 p.m. rule” has reduced the number of daily price changes from an average of 20–22 to six or seven. However, the price spread within a single day has widened significantly. According to the ADAC, the gap between the highest and lowest price for Super E10 averages 14.6 cents.
For diesel, the difference is as much as 18.4 cents per liter. Gas stations typically charge the highest prices immediately after the permitted 12 p.m. hike. Prices then drop gradually, meaning the time of refueling has a greater impact on actual costs than before.
Tax cut ends on June 30
The federal government reduced the energy tax by 14.04 cents per liter for May and June. Including VAT, the total relief amounts to up to 17 cents. However, this measure expires on June 30, while the future trajectory of crude oil prices remains uncertain.
Furthermore, the 12 p.m. rule does not prevent high fuel prices. It merely restricts the timing of the daily price hike, not its magnitude. Consequently, oil companies can factor in substantial markups at midday and subsequently lower prices slowly.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Bild (14.06.26) – Welt (11.06.26) – ADAC (11.06.26) – Auto Motor und Sport (02.06.26) – Bundeskartellamt (Stand 16.06.26) – Tagesschau (30.04.26)