Fuel prices at German gas stations have reached their highest level since 2024. According to data from the automobile club ADAC, the price per liter of Super E10 gasoline rose by 1.8 euro cents over the week to an average of €1.776, while diesel increased by 2.9 euro cents to €1.740. The main cause of the sharp rise is fears of an escalation of armed conflict in the Middle East, which have driven up the price of crude oil. In the event of a war between the United States and Iran, oil transport through the strategic Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted, which would impact global commodity prices. ADAC recommends drivers refuel in the evening, when prices are on average 13 cents lower than in the morning.
Record Fuel Price Increase
Fuel prices in Germany have reached their highest level since mid-2024. Gasoline is the most expensive since July 2024, and diesel since April 2024. The weekly price increase was 1.8 and 2.9 euro cents per liter, respectively.
Geopolitical Tensions Drive Prices
The main factor behind the rise in crude oil prices, and consequently fuel prices, is fears of a new armed conflict in the Middle East, particularly between the USA and Iran. The price of a barrel of Brent crude rose by about $4 over the week.
Risk to Global Oil Transport
A key location for the global oil market is the Strait of Hormuz. A potential armed conflict could disrupt the transport of the raw material through this strategic artery, which would have serious consequences for global prices.
Advice for Drivers
The ADAC club recommends drivers refuel in the evening hours, as analyses show that prices are then on average 13 euro cents per liter lower than during the morning peak hours.
Fuel prices at German gas stations have reached a level not seen in over a year and a half, as confirmed by data from the automobile club ADAC. Over the week, a liter of Super E10 gasoline became 1.8 euro cents more expensive, reaching an average price of €1.776, and a liter of diesel increased by 2.9 euro cents, reaching €1.740. For gasoline, this is the highest price since July 2024, and for diesel since April 2024. The main driver of the price increase at stations is the jump in the price of the raw material from which they are produced. The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil rose by about four US dollars over the week, reaching a level close to $71. According to ADAC analysts, the direct cause of this movement in the commodity markets is growing fears of an escalation of armed conflict in the Middle East, specifically between the United States and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, is crucial for the global energy market. This maritime artery handles about one-fifth of global oil exports and about one-third of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Its strategic location means that any threat of its blockade immediately triggers sharp increases in commodity prices on world exchanges. In the event of an open armed conflict between the mentioned powers, oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz could be seriously disrupted or even halted. Such prospects fuel speculation on futures markets and drive prices up "in advance." Interestingly, as ADAC notes, despite the current increases, the absolute price of oil is still lower than during previous periods of record fuel prices, partly due to the relatively low exchange rate of the US dollar. The automobile club also offered practical consumer advice. Analysis of daily price fluctuations at stations shows that refueling in the evening hours is on average 13 euro cents per liter cheaper than in the morning hours, when many people commute to work. This difference can mean significant savings on a full tank.