Germany's new fuel rule triggers immediate petrol price surge

A new fuel pricing regulation has caused an immediate jump in petrol costs across Germany. On its first day, the rule pushed the national average for Super E10 up by nearly five cents per litre. Industry groups have criticised oil companies for raising prices sharply.

Before the regulation took effect, the average price for a litre of Super E10 stood at €2.099. By the following day, it had climbed to €2.147, marking a sudden increase. The German Petroleum Industry Association quickly blamed oil firms for exploiting the change to inflate costs.

Herbert Rabl, the association's spokesperson, rejected claims that government taxes were the main issue. He called such arguments a deliberate attempt to mislead drivers. Instead, Rabl pointed to corporate pricing strategies and the added VAT as the real factors behind the higher costs.

The regulation's impact was felt immediately, with prices rising within hours of its introduction. Motorists now face higher fuel bills, while industry representatives continue to challenge the fairness of the increases. The debate over pricing responsibility remains unresolved.