The Gas Station Interests Association (TIV) opposes extending the current fuel discount. Although TIV spokesperson Herbert Rabl told the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition) that the discount is fundamentally beneficial-lowering prices and easing pressure on both consumers and gas stations-he maintains that this measure does not address the primary issue.
The central problem, according to Rabl, is that energy corporations are exploiting the German market far more aggressively than they are in other countries. He predicts that even with tax structures similar to those in other nations, fuel prices will ultimately remain above two euros once the discount period concludes.
This discussion comes amid the federal government’s previous reduction of the energy tax on fuels, which was scheduled to run until the end of June.
The association, however, supports the existing rule that limits gas stations to a single price increase per day (the “12-hour rule”). Rabl called for this regulation to be reinforced, suggesting it could model the system used in Austria, where price hikes were limited to three times per week. The TIV spokesperson concluded by arguing that if mineral oil corporations stopped “brazenly exploiting their power and raking in profits” Super fuel in Germany could potentially cost as little as 1.70 euros, mirroring the price point in Austria.
