The prices of goods and services related to automobile use have recently risen significantly. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the Automobile Price Index stood at 3.2% higher in January 2025 compared to the same month the previous year. This increase was above the average, as the overall consumer price index rose by 2.3% over the same period.
Insurance premiums for motor vehicles, in particular, have seen a significant increase, with a 20.8% rise in January 2025 compared to January 2024. Repairs, inspections and parking fees, as well as driving school and licensing fees, also saw a notable increase of 5.6% and 4.6%, respectively.
In contrast, the prices of new vehicles, including campervans and garage and parking space rentals rose by a more moderate 2.8% and 1.9%, respectively. Vehicle tax and used car prices increased by 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively, while spare parts, accessories and maintenance materials remained relatively stable, with a 0.4% increase.
Fuel prices at the pump, despite the introduction of the CO2 pricing scheme at the start of the year, were roughly the same as a year earlier, with a 0.1% decrease and a 0.9% decrease for diesel fuel, a 0.1% increase for super gasoline and a 0.2% increase for autogas.
Cyclists, on the other hand, saw a mixed picture, with e-bikes and pedelecs becoming slightly cheaper, while bicycles and motorbikes increased in price by 2.6%. Accessories for bicycles, such as locks and tachometers, saw a relatively small price increase of 0.3%.
Railway passenger transportation, meanwhile, became 6.0% more expensive in January compared to the same month the previous year, with a 7.6% increase for local transportation and a 5.5% increase for long-distance transportation. Combined tickets for public transportation, including rail and bus, rose by 11.6%, partly due to the introduction of the Germany ticket in May 2023. Taxi fares and long-distance bus travel increased by 2.2% and 4.9%, respectively.
In the medium-term, the prices of goods and services related to automobile use show a mixed picture, with the Automobile Price Index standing at 28.3% higher in 2024 compared to 2020, outpacing the overall consumer price index, which rose by 19.3% over the same period. Certain components of the Automobile Price Index, such as insurance premiums, fuel prices and the prices of new and used vehicles, have seen significant increases, while others, such as public transportation, have seen more modest or even decreases.