The federal government has not ruled out the possibility of extending the fuel discount. Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius stated in Berlin on Monday that though the discount is currently valid until the end of June, a decision about its future will be made in due course.
However, Kornelius noted that they have observed gasoline prices “developing downwards.” He suggested that this development demonstrates both the effectiveness of the fuel discount and the strengthening influence of market forces. The government reportedly views this trend positively.
The energy tax rates on fuels were reduced on May 1 for a period of two months, resulting in a total price reduction of up to 17 cents per liter. While prices have fallen sharply since the policy was introduced, critics have accused the mineral oil corporations of having raised prices in the days leading up to the implementation of the “fuel discount.”
