Fuel prices are plummeting: What does that mean for your wallet?

Fuel prices are plummeting: What does that mean for your wallet?

The prices for petrol and diesel in Germany have been falling continuously for several weeks, including in the run-up to the holidays. The average price for Super E10 is currently 1.67 euros per liter, which is a good cent less than the previous week. Diesel currently costs 1.55 euros per liter, which is almost two cents less than before. This development represents the third consecutive month of lower fuel prices World reported. Premium gasoline prices were last lower in December 2024, while diesel was last cheaper in September 2022.

The falling prices are partly due to the decisions of OPEC, which has set new oil production levels. From July 2025, an additional 411,000 barrels are to be produced daily. The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil is currently $64, which has fallen by one dollar. This increase in oil production will result in greater supply, while demand could stagnate in many developed countries. In addition, the euro has increased in value against the dollar, which also helps to stabilize and reduce fuel prices.

Market situation and consumer requirements

Despite the positive price development for consumers, the ADAC criticizes that the price reductions are not sufficient, especially in comparison to stable oil prices and the increased value of the euro. The Federal Cartel Office, however, sees no reason to intervene. The fluctuations in crude oil prices are closely related to political and economic developments, such as US tariffs, the Iran conflict, the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine war.

The price difference between diesel and premium gasoline is currently around 12 cents in favor of diesel. This difference is caused by the significantly lower diesel tax compared to the gasoline tax, with a gap of around 18 cents.

Compare prices: A look at neighboring countries

Consumers also have reason to be happy when they compare prices at different gas stations. Refueling times between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. are particularly cheap, while the highest prices can be found in the early hours of the morning. Drivers have to pay up to 40 cents more at motorway gas stations than at surrounding stations. A look across the borders shows that fuel is also cheaper in nearby countries: in Luxembourg, for example, premium gasoline costs around 18 cents less than in Germany, while diesel is 15 cents cheaper. In Austria, too, the price for premium gasoline is 22 cents lower and for diesel 6 cents lower than in Germany. In Poland the price difference is as much as 35 cents for premium gasoline and 18 cents for diesel.

There is a certain degree of uncertainty surrounding developments on the global oil market. OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil production from April 1, 2025 to meet global demand. It is expected that Brent oil prices could come under further pressure due to the increase in supply. However, the traditionally positive “driving season” in spring could also result in an increase in prices at gas stations in the coming months, while experts predict a stable oil price overall for 2025.

In summary, the new price trends at gas stations show that the fuel market is influenced by many factors, from geopolitical developments to consumer behavior. The coming months will show whether the current price situation remains stable or changes.