Germany diesel price spikes to over €2 per litre

On 30 June the German government’s temporary fuel‑price discount ended, removing the “tank‑rabatt” that had kept gasoline and diesel prices lower. Within a week, the ADAC reported that the average price of E10 gasoline rose by 5.9 cents to €2.089 per litre, while diesel jumped 11.7 cents to €2.07 per litre.

The price surge coincides with a sharp increase in global oil markets after the United States resumed hostilities with Iran, which has kept the Strait of Hormuz partially closed. Brent crude rose to about $85 a barrel, up from roughly $75 a week earlier. The ADAC attributes the diesel spike partly to higher import costs and overall market uncertainty.

Germany’s “12‑hour rule”, which limits fuel stations to a single price change per day, is only loosely enforced. Penalties for violations can reach €100 000, but many stations accept smaller fines – for example, €55 in Lower Saxony – rather than keep prices stable. The combination of the expired discount, rising oil prices and limited price‑change enforcement has pushed fuel costs above €2 per litre just before the summer holiday season.