Friedberg gas station overwhelmed as Germany’s fuel discount ends

Germany’s temporary fuel tax rebate ended at midnight on 1 July, after the government reduced the energy tax by about 17 cents per litre from 1 May. With the rebate gone, many stations, including the BK‑Tankstelle in Friedberg, raised pump prices by 10–14 cents per litre.

Customers flocked to the Friedberg station for a final cheap fill‑up, creating long queues that stretched onto the street. The surge led to aggressive behaviour, with staff reporting insults and even a customer spitting on the station manager. “Wir kommen an unsere Grenzen,” said owner Susi Feistl, describing how the staff had to enlist a helper in a neon‑yellow vest to direct traffic.

Among the drivers were 26‑year‑old Amir Mohammadi, who warned his girlfriend to hurry and noted the price climb to over €123 for a full tank, and 68‑year‑old pensioner Anna Mayer, who lamented that the end of the rebate added a new financial strain. The incident highlights the public’s reaction to sudden fuel‑price increases after a short‑term tax relief period.