At the end of December 2025, ADAC’s transport president, Gerhard Hillebrand, described CO₂ pricing as “the right instrument” and spoke of it as an “incentive” for switching to electric vehicles through higher fuel prices. Following this, the club reported a flood of complaints, leading to a wave of membership cancellations. Reports indicate that around 60,000 cancellations occurred in connection with the interview. Hillebrand resigned on February 2, 2026, citing “irritation” among members and reputational damage as the reasons for his resignation. (welt: 02.02.26)
First a defense, then a “misunderstanding”
The trigger was an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, in which Hillebrand uttered two sentences that continue to resonate today. He stated: “The ADAC considers CO₂ pricing to be the right instrument for achieving climate protection goals.” He also said: “People need incentives to switch to climate-friendly alternatives to diesel and gasoline vehicles.” These quotes sounded like an argument for higher fuel prices, even though he simultaneously warned against price spikes.
Afterwards, the club opted for a phased approach to crisis management, but a clear stance was lacking. Reports describe how Hillebrand initially defended the basic logic and only later spoke of a misunderstanding. This very sequence exacerbated the damage because it appeared tactical rather than a matter of conviction. Many members interpreted this as a signal: the official would stick to the line first, then correct it if the protests became too strong.
Resignation as a belated attempt at damage control
Meanwhile, the pressure mounted as resignation letters circulated on social media and complaints poured into the ADAC. Media outlets reported around 60,000 cancellations in connection with the interview. The club confirmed this figure. This gave the affair a financial dimension, as every cancellation directly impacts the membership base. At this point, it was no longer just a matter of interpretation, but of real losses.
On February 2, 2026, the resignation followed, and the ADAC officially cited “confusion” and “reputational damage” as the reasons. According to a press release, Hillebrand “personally assumed responsibility,” and Technical President Karsten Schulze is taking over the department on an interim basis. This sounds like a resolution, but it doesn’t answer the core question: What does the ADAC stand for in this matter? Many therefore see it as a scapegoat, because someone is falling while the party line remains unchanged.
No clear statement on the core issue
To this day, there is no clear statement from the ADAC that it rejects higher fuel prices as a political steering instrument, even though that is precisely what many members expect. The club can put climate goals into perspective, but it must first protect the interests of its members – even if that contradicts political directives and forces it to take uncomfortable positions. Therefore, a clear statement on the limits of what is acceptable is needed. As long as such a policy statement is lacking, it remains unclear whether the resignation was more than a scapegoat sacrifice to limit damage. Trust will only return if the ADAC visibly prioritizes the mandate of its members and doesn’t only react when it becomes expensive.