Last year was a slightly more pleasant one for consumers in terms of fuel prices, compared to the two previous years.
According to the ADAC, the average price of a liter of Super E10 in 2024 was 1.739 euros, while diesel was 1.649 euros per liter on average. Compared to the previous year, Super E10 was about five cents cheaper, and diesel was nearly seven cents cheaper. With record years in 2022 and 2023, 2024 now ranks as the third most expensive fuel year.
The most expensive day for Super E10 was April 17, with an average price of 1.867 euros per liter. On the other hand, the cheapest day was October 1, with an average price of 1.631 euros per liter, a difference of over 23 cents per liter. For diesel, the most expensive day was February 13, with an average price of 1.767 euros per liter, while the cheapest day was September 18, with 1.523 euros per liter, a difference of over 24 cents per liter.
The cheapest month for both types of fuel was September, with an average price of 1.650 euros per liter for Super E10 and 1.544 euros per liter for diesel. The most expensive month was March, with 1.851 euros per liter for Super E10, and February, with 1.746 euros per liter for diesel.
The high prices in February and March of the previous year are now a thing of the past. The fuel prices fell almost continuously until September, and only recently has a slight upward trend been observed.
The ADAC attributes a significant role to the high oil price, which exceeded the mark of 90 US dollars per barrel in the spring. In September, the barrel was sold for around 20 US dollars less, which is reflected in the year’s lowest prices for gasoline and diesel. The recent increase in fuel prices is attributed to the slightly firmer oil price, as well as the noticeably weaker euro against the dollar.
As of the end of 2024, the prices for both types of fuel have risen again. According to the current evaluation for December, a liter of Super E10 cost an average of 1.671 euros and 1.604 euros for a liter of diesel, an increase of 1.3 and 1.6 cents, respectively, compared to the previous month.
It is difficult for the ADAC to predict how fuel prices will develop in the coming months, as many variables are at play. The CO2 price, which was increased from 45 to 55 euros per ton of CO2 emissions at the beginning of the year, also has an impact on fuel prices. As a result, the CO2 surcharge for a liter of gasoline or diesel increases by around three cents per liter. However, the overall development of fuel prices is largely dependent on the oil price and other factors, including the euro-dollar exchange rate.
Despite this, the ADAC still hopes that 2025 will be a slightly more affordable fuel year on average, as the current fuel prices are below last year’s levels, even after the higher CO2 surcharge.