
Is a (further) fuel discount worth it?
The German government has decided on another fuel tax cut. From October 1 to the end of 2026 (3 months), the energy tax on petrol and diesel will be reduced by 14 cents per litre. Including VAT, this results in a reduction of 16.7 cents (almost 17 cents). The measure costs €2.5 billion, split equally between the federal government and the states.
Example calculation:
- For a 50-litre tank, you save €8.35.
- If you commute 300 km per week (consumption 7 l/100 km), you save around €46 over the three months.
From January 2027, a fuel price cap similar to Luxembourg or Belgium is planned. The government sets a maximum price that gas stations may not exceed. Currently, only talks with the mineral oil industry are scheduled.
Who Makes Money from Fuel Prices?The petrol price (currently €2.27/l for E10) consists of 51 % taxes and duties, while diesel (€2.44/l) has 42 %. The energy tax is 65.45 cents per litre of petrol and 47.04 cents per litre of diesel – exactly this amount is to be reduced by 14 cents. Additionally, there is the CO₂ price and VAT (19 %).
Criticism of the Measures- Incomplete pass-through: During the last fuel discount (May–June 2025), only 78–85 % of the tax cut reached customers. In the final week before expiry, pass-through was only 50 %.
- Socially unfair: Those who drive more benefit more. Economists like Marcel Fratscher (DEW) call for income-dependent subsidies instead.
- Weakened price signal: The Monopolies Commission criticizes that the discount makes fuel-saving less attractive and demands a commuter allowance.
- Fuel price cap controversial: Monika Schnitzer (Council of Economic Experts) warns that in times of scarce supply, prices should steer consumption. She advocates a climate dividend.
Sebastian Dulin (IMK) welcomes the measures because they can relieve logistics companies and curb inflation.
Conclusion: From October, fuel will become cheaper – perhaps not by the full 17 cents. The effect of the fuel price cap remains to be seen.






