German drivers paid 38 cents more per liter for Super E10 and 67 cents more for diesel in mid-April 2026 compared to pre-Iran-war levels, despite a temporary oil price drop after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire on April 8.
The nationwide average price for Super E10 fell 3.3 cents to 2.155 euros on April 16, while diesel dropped 2.8 cents to 2.419 euros, marking the first decline after twelve consecutive increases, according to ADAC data.
However, the relief at the pump lagged far behind the 16 percent plunge in Brent crude to $91.70 per barrel, illustrating the „rocket-and-feather effect“ where prices rise quickly but fall slowly, a phenomenon acknowledged by the Federal Cartel Office.
Government relief measure fails to deliver promised savings
Oil industry captures larger share of diesel pricing
<!– /wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Diesel at 2.29 euros per liter saw less than half — 1.01 euros — head to the state, while 1.28 euros flowed to oil companies for production, refining, transport and margins.
/wp:paragraph> wp:html –>Ceasefire gains undermined by rising oil prices
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Oil prices edged upward again on April 17 morning, narrowing the window for further fuel price cuts and reinforcing skepticism about the durability of post-ceasefire relief.
/wp:paragraph> wp:heading>Why do fuel prices fall slower than they rise?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>The rocket-and-feather effect occurs due to the fact that wholesalers and retailers delay lowering prices when crude costs drop, fearing volatility, while raising them swiftly during spikes to protect margins.
/wp:paragraph> wp:heading>How much of the fuel price actually reaches oil companies?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>For Super E10, less than half of the price covers crude, refining, transport and retail margins; for diesel, the industry’s share exceeds 50 percent due to lower state taxation.
/wp:paragraph> /wp:html –>For Super E10 priced at 2.10 euros on April 12, state taxes and levies accounted for 1.15 euros — more than half — comprising 65.5 cents in mineral oil tax, 33.5 cents in VAT, and 15.7 cents in CO2 costs.
Oil industry captures larger share of diesel pricing
<!– /wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Diesel at 2.29 euros per liter saw less than half — 1.01 euros — head to the state, while 1.28 euros flowed to oil companies for production, refining, transport and margins.
/wp:paragraph> wp:html –>Ceasefire gains undermined by rising oil prices
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Oil prices edged upward again on April 17 morning, narrowing the window for further fuel price cuts and reinforcing skepticism about the durability of post-ceasefire relief.
For more on this story, see German fuel prices remain high despite 16% drop in crude oil costs.
This follows our earlier report, German households face lowest purchasing power since 2019 amid oil-driven downturn.
/wp:paragraph> wp:heading>Why do fuel prices fall slower than they rise?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>The rocket-and-feather effect occurs due to the fact that wholesalers and retailers delay lowering prices when crude costs drop, fearing volatility, while raising them swiftly during spikes to protect margins.
How much of the fuel price actually reaches oil companies?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>For Super E10, less than half of the price covers crude, refining, transport and retail margins; for diesel, the industry’s share exceeds 50 percent due to lower state taxation.
/wp:paragraph> /wp:heading –>For Super E10 priced at 2.10 euros on April 12, state taxes and levies accounted for 1.15 euros — more than half — comprising 65.5 cents in mineral oil tax, 33.5 cents in VAT, and 15.7 cents in CO2 costs.
Oil industry captures larger share of diesel pricing
<!– /wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Diesel at 2.29 euros per liter saw less than half — 1.01 euros — head to the state, while 1.28 euros flowed to oil companies for production, refining, transport and margins.
/wp:paragraph> wp:html –>Ceasefire gains undermined by rising oil prices
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Oil prices edged upward again on April 17 morning, narrowing the window for further fuel price cuts and reinforcing skepticism about the durability of post-ceasefire relief.
Why do fuel prices fall slower than they rise?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>The rocket-and-feather effect occurs due to the fact that wholesalers and retailers delay lowering prices when crude costs drop, fearing volatility, while raising them swiftly during spikes to protect margins.
/wp:paragraph> wp:heading>How much of the fuel price actually reaches oil companies?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>For Super E10, less than half of the price covers crude, refining, transport and retail margins; for diesel, the industry’s share exceeds 50 percent due to lower state taxation.
/wp:paragraph> /wp:paragraph –>The black-red coalition’s 12-hour rule, introduced to cut fuel taxes by 17 cents per liter, has shown minimal impact as oil companies delay passing savings to consumers, experts say.
Tax and profit splits reveal who benefits from high fuel prices
For Super E10 priced at 2.10 euros on April 12, state taxes and levies accounted for 1.15 euros — more than half — comprising 65.5 cents in mineral oil tax, 33.5 cents in VAT, and 15.7 cents in CO2 costs.
Oil industry captures larger share of diesel pricing
<!– /wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Diesel at 2.29 euros per liter saw less than half — 1.01 euros — head to the state, while 1.28 euros flowed to oil companies for production, refining, transport and margins.
/wp:paragraph> wp:html –>Ceasefire gains undermined by rising oil prices
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>Oil prices edged upward again on April 17 morning, narrowing the window for further fuel price cuts and reinforcing skepticism about the durability of post-ceasefire relief.
/wp:paragraph> wp:heading>Why do fuel prices fall slower than they rise?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>The rocket-and-feather effect occurs due to the fact that wholesalers and retailers delay lowering prices when crude costs drop, fearing volatility, while raising them swiftly during spikes to protect margins.
/wp:paragraph> wp:heading>How much of the fuel price actually reaches oil companies?
/wp:heading> wp:paragraph>For Super E10, less than half of the price covers crude, refining, transport and retail margins; for diesel, the industry’s share exceeds 50 percent due to lower state taxation.
/wp:paragraph> /wp:paragraph –>
