High fuel costs impact German nursing services

Rising fuel prices are creating significant operational challenges for essential services in Germany. The Simone Freudenberg nursing service in Schwarzenberg reports that maintaining its fleet of 18 vehicles now costs nearly 1,000 euros more per month due to increased diesel and gasoline prices.

To manage these costs, the company has implemented strict measures, including a directive that staff must only refuel during morning hours to take advantage of specific pricing. The service has also had to limit its expansion, noting that it can currently only accept new customers from within the Schwarzenberg area to remain economically viable.

Psychological research suggests that consumers tend to habituate to high fuel prices within a few weeks, potentially allowing oil companies to maintain higher price levels long-term. However, consumer acceptance often depends on whether the price increases are perceived as being driven by production costs or profit maximization.