Overview

• Benzinpreis.de revealed that over 11,000 German petrol stations reported prices lasting less than 15 minutes during May 12–18, 2025, with some prices changing in under 5 minutes.
• The Bundeskartellamt criticized frequent price fluctuations, noting that consumers struggle to compare prices and adjust refueling habits to save money.
• In Q1 2025, German petrol stations averaged 22 price changes per day, with some stations exceeding 50 changes daily, according to the regulator.
• The Fuels und Energie association defended the pricing dynamics, attributing them to competitive pressures and arguing they enhance market transparency.
• The Bundeskartellamt has proposed further investigation into the impact of rapid price changes and suggested the possibility of legislative measures to address consumer challenges.