Diesel prices barely lower than unleaded gas - Self-starter businesses infrequently profitable - Diesel costing nearly as much as super ignition fuel
In recent years, a significant shift has been observed in the prices of diesel and gasoline in Germany. According to data from 2023 and 2024, the difference between the two fuels has been smaller than in previous years.
The average difference between the price of diesel and E10 gasoline in the first half of 2023 was 8.8 cents, a figure not seen for a long time, as per ADAC fuel market expert Christian Laberer. Today, this difference is less than a third of the long-term average, with diesel, on average, only 5 cents cheaper than E10 regular gasoline.
Several factors have contributed to this trend. Increased taxes on diesel fuel, aimed at reducing its environmental impact, have reduced the historical tax advantage diesel had, narrowing the price gap. Stricter emissions regulations and concerns about diesel pollution have dampened demand for diesel vehicles, further affecting market pricing.
The growing adoption of electric and hydrogen-powered buses and vehicles in Germany, as well as fluctuations in global oil prices and refining costs, have also played a role in compressing the gap between diesel and gasoline prices.
It is worth noting that, in 2024, Germany consumed about 32 million tons of diesel, of which 13 million were imported. In contrast, gasoline consumption was only around 18 million tons, with about 2 million imported. Replacement supplies for diesel come mainly from the USA, Western Europe, and the Arab world.
While there are still manufacturers whose diesel vehicles are cheaper from as little as 10,000 kilometers, the rule of thumb for diesel making financial sense has shifted. High annual mileage, sometimes exceeding 20,000 kilometers, is now often required to make a diesel cheaper to run than a gasoline car.
Individual cases where diesel is cheaper than gasoline are becoming more common, but in 2019, diesel was cheaper in 13 out of 20 cases compared to gasoline. By 2025, this had reversed, with diesel being cheaper in only 7 cases.
Diesel is more crisis-prone due to Germany's heavy reliance on imports. While a significant portion of Germany's diesel imports previously came from Russia, today, these imports come "via third countries" such as India or Turkey, but at a higher cost.
In conclusion, the shrinking price difference between diesel and regular gasoline in Germany can be attributed to increased diesel taxation, environmental policies against diesel emissions, changing vehicle fleet composition, and market oil price dynamics. This trend is likely to continue, making the choice between diesel and gasoline vehicles more economically nuanced.
- The community policy on environmental taxes, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of diesel, has significantly contributed to the narrowing price gap between diesel and regular gasoline in Germany, as part of an overall shift in employment policies towards cleaner fuel sources.
- In the sports of automotive market analysis, the weather conditions of global oil prices and refining costs have also played a crucial role in compressing the gap between diesel and gasoline prices, making the choice between diesel and gasoline vehicles more economically nuanced for consumers.
