Because of the Ukraine war, the European Union continues to cut raw material deals with Russia. Since this weekend, there has also been an import ban for diesel and petrol from Russia. FOCUS online says whether prices at the pump are rising and whether you should fill up to save.
Since the beginning of December, Russian crude oil has no longer been allowed to be imported into the EU by tanker, and since the beginning of January Germany has stopped importing it via the Druzhba pipeline.
Now the European Union has also bought more refinery products such as diesel, petrol and lubricants from Russia. In addition, a regulation is effective immediately that is intended to force Russia to sell oil products below the market price to buyers in other countries.
The measure also has indirect consequences for motorists.
Unlikely. The mineral oil association Fuels and Energy sees no supply gap.
“The general security of supply and the security of the supply of fuel is guaranteed,” emphasizes a spokesman for Economics Minister Robert Habeck.
Diesel is primarily affected by the embargo. According to the industry association, Germany covered around 12.5 percent of its consumption from Russia in 2022. Replacements come from the USA, Western Europe and the Arab region, reports Fuels and Energy.
The good news for drivers: Petrol is not imported from Russia. There is also a 90-day fuel reserve for emergencies.
And,
At least that cannot be ruled out. But… there won’t be any dramatic price jumps. This is the result of an assessment by the Düsseldorf energy expert Jens Südekum.
The background is that the market has been preparing for the new embargo level for months. “In the past few weeks and months we have seen veritable panic buying at the important ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Amsterdam,” reports the economist. “That means, before the embargo, you managed to get what was still possible. The diesel bearings are full to the hilt. That will limit price increases.”
The scarcity speaks for a price increase at the pump.
Thomas Puls from the Institute of German Economics points out, for example, that diesel is scarce on the world market. If the EU no longer buys from Russia, the fuel will have to come from more distant areas, such as Saudi Arabia. The capacity of the special ships is limited, the distances are longer and the transports are therefore more expensive.
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Keep calm and watch the prices at the pump.
If you need the car more irregularly, it is worth filling up. It is possible that diesel prices will increase somewhat in the coming days and weeks. On average, diesel cost 1.81 euros per liter on Monday morning. Super cost an average of 1.84 euros.
The price master’s tip: If you have to refuel, check the fuel prices several times a day. There are many useful apps for this.
You can also take a look at which petrol station offers the cheapest fuel along your daily route.
Bargains also use voucher apps that make fuel even cheaper when redeemed. You will find vouchers for many everyday products on this page, which are always updated.
There are only a few exceptions when refueling in neighboring countries is cheaper than in Germany. Exceptions are, for example, Belgium, Denmark, France and Switzerland. In these countries you have to reckon with higher prices for petrol and diesel than in Berlin, Munich or Cologne.
It is slightly cheaper in the following countries:
Luxemburg
Austria
Poland
Czech Republic
