The cost benefits from refueling at nighttime dwindle.
The best time to refuel at a cheaper price is typically in the evening. Although the savings have started to decrease, this statement still holds true. The ADAC, an automotive organization, conducted an analysis and found that there have been some changes in terms of time as well. Still, if you fill up at the right time and location, you can save more than 10 cents per liter.
The variations in fuel prices during the day are quickening, but they're also less dramatic. ADAC's evaluation indicates that the distinction between the most expensive and least expensive price in a day has moderated slightly. Precisely, it was 6.4 cents for Super E10 gasoline and 7.3 cents for diesel. This is 1.7 cents and 1.6 cents lesser than the previous year. These values are determined from fuel prices across about 14,000 service stations in Germany.
Filling up continues to be more cost-effective during the evening. However, the period of the lowest price has shifted by a little. Christian Laberer, ADAC's expert, states that "a year ago, it was still between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., now it's two time periods: between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m." A brief increase in price of 2 cents occurs between these time slots.
The number of price surges during the day has raised and now stands at eight. The maximum price, as determined by the ADAC, occurred in the morning and peaked at 7:15 a.m. The price then slowly decreases, forming a wave-like pattern. For the first time, it substantially dips below the average at 11:45 a.m.
Despite the reduced disparities, Laberer still suggests comparing prices and strategically refueling. "If someone drives to a cheaper gas station at an optimal time, they can save more than 10 cents per liter in comparison with an expensive gas station at an inopportune time," Laberer advises. This also applies to summer holidays. "If you're taking a trip, try to refuel the night before as prices are significantly lower than in the morning. Additionally, you save travel time and skip driving to the particularly expensive gas stations on the highways."
