Overview

• The proposal would allow fuel prices to be raised only once per day at noon, with reductions permitted at any time, mirroring Austria’s system.
• Baden-Württemberg filed the initiative in the Bundesrat, which is slated to discuss it on October 17 before referring it to committees for review.
• Germany’s cartel office reports roughly 18 to 22 price changes per station per day, with some exceeding 40 and occasionally 50, undermining consumer transparency.
• The station operators’ association backs the move, with spokesman Herbert Rabl calling it “right and good,” while critics caution it could lift average price levels, a claim the group disputes.
• Backers say fewer allowed increases would reduce data reporting to the fuel price transparency unit and simplify app feeds, though the federal government has not committed to legislation and a similar 2012 push stalled.