Harsh accusations against giants!Fuel prices are exploding! Gas stations accuse oil companies of rip-offs

The criticism from gas station operators of the oil companies because of the sharp rise in fuel prices continues unabated. “This is predatory capitalism like in the 19th century and has nothing to do with a social market economy,” said Herbert Rabl, spokesman for the petrol station interest group (TIV), to the “Stuttgarter Zeitung”. He complained that crude oil had been purchased and refined at a much cheaper price and had since then been partially stored in the tanks under the gas stations. Now it is being sold at a significantly higher price – a price that the companies had not originally calculated. This is a “rip-off,” Rabl continued.

The tenants have no influence on the prices at the pump itself. These would be made by the corporations – the frustration of the drivers would then be borne by the gas station tenants and their employees, Rabl continued. The oil industry justifies the increased prices as a precautionary measure against the background of the Iran war.

Gas station operators in East Germany had previously made similar statements. “The colleagues at the cash registers are of course very aware of people's dissatisfaction,” said Hans-Joachim Rühlemann, chairman of the North-East Garage and Gas Station Industry Association (VGT). The gas station tenants cannot do anything about the price development. Pricing sovereignty lies with the oil companies.

In addition, the increased prices also have an impact on sales in gas station shops, said Rabl. Angry customers would not buy anything after filling up. Sales in the shop are important for gas station tenants: they make up around 60 percent of total sales, while income from the sale of gasoline and diesel only accounts for around 20 percent of total sales.

Rabl is also skeptical about the actions of Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche: The investigation by the cartel office will not reveal anything, as the prices have not yet been so high that it could be considered illegal usury. In this case, the cartel office is a “toothless tiger”.

A fuel discount, as the federal government at the time introduced in 2022, is also not an option for the lobby group's spokesman. It doesn't make sense to subsidize companies' price increases. Reiche had previously ruled this out.

Fuel prices in Germany have risen sharply since the end of February 2026 as a result of the Iran war. The price of diesel exceeded the two euros per liter mark for the first time on March 4th. Premium gasoline of the E10 variety also became significantly more expensive and at times cost just under two euros per liter.

According to information from “Welt”, customs on Brandenburg’s border with Poland are increasingly checking so-called tank tourists. There have been spot checks at border crossings nationwide for several days, said customs spokeswoman Lisa Pörschmann to the “Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung”.

According to her, this is primarily about people who buy cheaper fuel in neighboring countries and come back to Germany without declaring it. The focus of control is the border crossings to Poland and the Czech Republic in Brandenburg, Saxony and Bavaria. In both countries, fuel is 30 to 60 cents cheaper per liter, according to the customs spokeswoman. According to “Welt”, there are no figures available on how many fuel tourists have been caught since the controls began.

Many drivers also take advantage of price differences when refueling to take additional fuel in canisters, according to the “Blue Light Report Saarland”. However, as “Welt” reports, clear requirements apply: when entering Germany, in addition to the fuel in the tank, only an additional reserve canister with a maximum of 20 liters is allowed tax-free. If this amount is exceeded, energy taxes may apply. Around 0.90 euros per liter is charged for petrol and around 0.70 euros per liter for diesel. According to the East Brandenburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), there have already been long queues at Polish gas stations due to the price difference for fuel.

Sources used: mwa/dpa