“Rip-off”: German government attacks corporations in gas station dispute

“Price gouging by the oil companies”

Because of the sharp rise in oil and fuel prices as a result of the Iran war, the coalition factions set up a task force, led by SPD parliamentary group vice-president Armand Zorn and Union parliamentary group vice-president Sepp Müller. The German heads of the oil companies took part in the committee meeting on Monday in Berlin BP and Shell took part, including the President of the Federal Cartel Office, Andreas Mundt, as well as representatives of industry associations, consumer advocates and the ADAC.

After the meeting, Zorn said: “Unfortunately, our questions were not answered satisfactorily. The oil companies have not managed to credibly explain how pricing occurs and, above all, how the differences in European comparison can be explained.” Müller made similar comments. The CDU politician spoke of a “Price gouging of the petroleum companies.” The chairman of the Monopolies Commission, Tomaso Duso, said that fuel prices in Germany had risen particularly sharply compared to other European countries.

Germany: Government plans measure based on Austrian model

The SPD transport politician Isabel Cademartori said that representatives of the petroleum industry could not explain why price increases on the crude oil market are immediately passed on to the end customer, but reductions are not. “The question also remains open as to whether the corporations expect record profits in 2026. Such an occurrence after the burdens that German consumers have to endure, is bold.”

The German government is planning a package of measures. On the one hand, should based on the Austrian model In the future, gas stations will only be allowed to increase prices once a day, at 12 p.m. Price reductions should be possible at any time. In Austria, the price regulations have now been tightened and the prices for petrol and diesel can only be increased once on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at 12 p.m.

ADAC is skeptical

In any case, the new rule is intended to ensure more transparency and fewer short-term price jumps at the pump in Germany. Müller spoke of a signal to the oil companies: “Stop lining your pockets.”

ADAC Transport and Technology President Karsten Schulze said: “It’s good that the coalition is taking the pricing policy of the oil companies into account, because fuel prices in Germany have risen twice as much since the start of the Iran war in some cases as in other European countries.”

However, it is controversial whether the new rule really has a price-dampening effect. The ADAC is skeptical as to whether lower prices can be achieved as a result.

The coalition also wants to tighten antitrust law. According to government circles, if prices rise sharply, the burden of proof will be reversed in the future: companies will have to demonstrate that their price increases are objectively justified. This should make it much easier for the cartel office to take action against excessive prices.

Petroleum industry rejects “rip-off” accusation

Christian Küchen, managing director of the Fuels and Energy trade association, rejected the accusation “rip off” expressly returned after the task force meeting. The margins have not changed since the start of the Iran war. Küchen criticized the coalition’s planned tightening of antitrust law.

He spoke of a paradigm shift: This poses considerable risks for the company’s success if price increases are subsequently recognized as illegal. This could even lead to companies exiting this market, said Küchen. The gas station prices in Germany are very transparently based on the product prices for gasoline and diesel – which have risen since the Iran war.

“Otherwise supply is at risk”

A spokesman for the petroleum company BP said: “The possible measures now being discussed and significant interventions in the freedom of entrepreneurial decision-making and design completely ignore the fact that more than half of the fuel price is attributable to taxes and duties. Pricing at gas stations follows market economy mechanisms.” The German fuel market is one of the most transparent markets in Europe.

If prices on the product market rise, companies would have to earn the money, says Küchen. “Otherwise the market economy won’t work. Otherwise even supply will be at risk.” Küchen spoke of fundamental interventions in the market that were unprecedented. There are significant risks for companies. The planned interventions may lead to less competition.