German diesel fuel prices reach two-month low point
In a recent assessment published by the ADAC on Wednesday, it was revealed that both diesel and Super E10 prices in Germany have seen a slight decrease in the past week.
The average price of a liter of diesel now stands at 1.583 euros, marking a decrease of 2.2 cents from the previous week. Meanwhile, the current trend shows a slight decline in Super E10 prices, with a decrease of about 1.3 cents per liter reported over the same period.
Despite the overall downward trend, diesel prices remain relatively stable, subject to daily fluctuations. For instance, refueling in the evening (between 19:00 and 22:00) is generally cheaper, while mornings around 7 AM can see diesel prices being about 13.3 cents higher per liter.
Key factors influencing these trends include daily price fluctuations, location of gas stations, consumer behavior, and market transparency. Significant price variations within a single day are common, with the cheapest times typically in the evening and the most expensive in the morning. Choosing the right station can save money, as prices at Autobahn (motorway) stations tend to be higher, often by more than 7 cents per liter compared to cheaper stations away from main highways.
The ADAC also recommends comparing prices, avoiding more expensive petrol types like E5 to save an additional 5 to 6 cents per liter, and using discounts such as the 2% ADAC fuel rebate available through their credit card program.
In addition, apps like "mehr-tanken," an official partner of Germany’s Markttransparenzstelle für Kraftstoff, provide live fuel prices, forecasts, and refueling recommendations in different regions, helping consumers capitalize on favorable price changes for diesel and Super E10.
The decrease in fuel prices is also attributed to lower oil prices, with a barrel of Brent crude oil currently costing around 66 US dollars, a decrease of two dollars from last week. The stronger euro against the US dollar is contributing to further relief in fuel prices in Germany. No major price spikes for diesel or Super E10 were noted in the most recent data, reflecting a stable to slightly downward trend for Super E10 and steady diesel prices.
[1] ADAC, "ADAC Tankpreis-Monitor: Diesel und Super E10 preislich leicht abgefallen," 2023. [2] Markttransparenzstelle für Kraftstoff, "Tankpreise," 2023.
The decrease in diesel and Super E10 prices might be influenced by the current trends in the energy sector, considering the lower cost of a barrel of Brent crude oil, which recently dropped to around 66 US dollars. Moreover, the finance industry could play a role in helping consumers navigate these price changes, as using discounts like the 2% ADAC fuel rebate or apps like "mehr-tanken" can potentially save money on fuel purchases.
