Refueling on freeways is becoming increasingly expensive
Those who fill up at service stations on the highway are usually aware of higher gas prices. However, the price difference to other service stations has significantly increased recently. The Bundeskartellamt has recorded a growing price gap between highway service stations and other service stations. "Price increases have 'once again significantly risen' in the last few weeks," said Bundeskartellamt President Andreas Mundt. "Currently, one pays over 40 cents more per liter for gasoline and diesel at highway service stations."
The price difference for diesel has been particularly significant lately. It was around 36 cents per liter in the first quarter, but recently it has been approximately 41 cents. For E5 gasoline, it was around 39 cents in the spring, but now it is nearly 42 cents. The Bundeskartellamt advises consumers to avoid highway service stations and use tank apps instead. The ADAC had recently made similar statements based on its own, much smaller sample size.
The price differences between the federal states, according to the Bundeskartellamt, were relatively insignificant. On June 30, the difference in diesel prices between the most expensive and cheapest federal state was 6 cents. For gasoline, it was 5 cents. Some eastern German states were still among the more expensive regions, it was stated.
The Bundeskartellamt sees several explanations for the differences. The eastern federal states are reportedly more affected by the embargo on Russian oil, and the refineries PCK and Leuna are not yet fully operational again. In addition, imports of finished fuel from Russia, which traditionally played a larger role in the east, have also fallen away.
The ADAC had previously found in a sample that it was significantly cheaper to fill up outside of the highway. In the peak sample of 40 gas station pairs along major highways, the ADAC calculated price differences of 54 cents for gasoline and 50 cents for diesel. This difference was lower than it had been a year ago. A year ago, the highest difference was 70 cents. "From the ADAC's perspective, such high markups are not justifiable," it advised motorists to get off the highway. A short detour is worth it practically every time, according to the traffic club.
Consumers may want to consider refueling at stations outside of highways to save on gasoline prices, as the ADAC found a significant price difference of almost 54 cents per liter for gasoline and around 50 cents per liter for diesel between highway and off-highway stations. Recently, the price of gasoline at highway service stations has increased by over 40 cents per liter compared to other stations.
