Prices at German gas stations are rising significantly again. The background is the war in the Middle East. Experts expect that petrol and diesel could become even more expensive in the coming days and are warning drivers about a typical refueling mistake.
Fuel prices at gas stations are currently rising sharply. The current price wave is related to the tense situation in the Middle East. Energy markets are sensitive to Iran’s threat to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait is one of the most important oil transport routes in the world. If disruptions occur there, oil prices usually rise quickly and so do the costs of petrol and diesel.
Prices rose significantly at the beginning of the week, among other things the Tagesschau reports. On a national average, Super E10 recently cost around 1.84 euros per literDiesel for example 1.82 euros. These are the highest values in a long time – for gasoline since spring 2024, for diesel even since autumn 2023.
Why diesel reacts particularly strongly
It is interesting that diesel currently fluctuates more than petrol. The reason: Diesel traditionally reacts more sensitively to international crises because it is more influenced by the global trade market.
However, price jumps of this kind are not new. A particularly drastic increase was observed around the beginning of the Ukraine war. At that time, diesel became more expensive within just a few weeks 60 cents per literwhile gasoline around 50 cents attracted.
Smaller military escalations in the Middle East have also repeatedly triggered short-term price increases in recent years. The current increase is lower, but shows once again how strongly the oil market reacts to geopolitical risks.
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The typical tank mistake – and when fuel is cheapest
Many drivers make a simple but costly mistake when filling up: they drive in the morning or in rush hour traffic to the gas pump. Prices are usually highest at these times. According to analyzes by the ADAC, they are The most expensive time slots are usually between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The reason is simple: a particularly large number of commuters fill up at these times.
Fuel, on the other hand, is usually significantly cheaper in the evening between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Then the prices at many gas stations will drop significantly again. If you want to save money, you should not fill up immediately in the morning, but rather postpone the refueling stop until the evening if possible.
Long-term solution? Many drivers are switching to electric cars
Rising fuel prices are now a recurring nuisance for many drivers. In addition to geopolitical crises such as those currently occurring in the Middle East, other factors also play a role. These include fluctuating crude oil prices on the global market, transport costs, taxes and the rising price of CO₂. These cost components ultimately become visible at the pump and ensure that gasoline and diesel become noticeably more expensive within just a few days.
One way to become more independent of such price fluctuations is to switch to an electric car. Anyone who charges their vehicle at home using a wallbox or uses cheap public charging offers can usually calculate energy costs better than with constantly changing fuel prices.
In addition, many electric cars continue to benefit from funding programs, tax breaks or cheaper maintenance costs. The change can be financially worthwhile in the long term, especially for frequent travelers, even if the purchase initially seems more expensive.
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