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Germany’s New CO2 Pricing Lifts Pump Costs as ADAC Seeks to Calm Backlash

A new auction-based CO2 price took effect on January 1, lifting pump costs, intensifying scrutiny of charging costs, prompting calls for social relief.

Overview

  • Germany began auctioning CO2 certificates within a €55–€65 per‑ton corridor for transport and heating on January 1, replacing the fixed national rate.
  • ADAC figures show average prices jumped on January 1 by 3.4 cents per liter for E10 and 4.0 cents for diesel versus December 31, exceeding the roughly 3‑cent CO2 effect alone.
  • ADAC traffic president Gerhard Hillebrand called CO2 pricing the right tool to steer drivers toward EVs, prompting visible member criticism and public cancellation posts.
  • The club later emphasized it does not back blanket fuel hikes and links CO2 pricing to cheaper home charging, faster infrastructure build‑out, and social compensation.
  • EU ETS II for road transport and buildings was delayed to 2028, with Germany maintaining the national corridor through 2027 and rolling out relief such as a higher commuter allowance.