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German Gas Stations Face Scrutiny Over Rapid and Short-Lived Price Changes

Nearly three-quarters of stations adjust fuel prices within 15 minutes, prompting calls for consumer protections as watchdogs allege deceptive practices.

Das Portal Benzinpreis.de hat eine Masche untersucht, die offenbar 80 Prozent aller Tankstellen verwenden: Benzinpreis-Apps werden ausgetrickst, indem Preise für wenige Minuten gesenkt und dann wieder erhöht werden. Der ADAC rät zu einer altbewährten Strategie.

Overview

  • Benzinpreis.de reported over 95,000 cases of rapid price changes at German gas stations between May 12 and May 18, 2025, with many prices valid for less than 15 minutes.
  • More than 11,200 stations were found to alter prices within 15 minutes, and 3,800 stations raised prices again within just five minutes.
  • The average duration of price reductions was only 7.5 minutes, making it nearly impossible for app users to locate and benefit from the discounts in time.
  • The Bundeskartellamt acknowledges the phenomenon but has declined to intervene, citing the legality of unlimited price changes as long as they are reported.
  • Consumer groups and Benzinpreis.de are urging legal warnings and legislative caps on price-change frequency to address what they describe as misleading tactics.