According to the Institut für Demoskopie in Allensbach, a survey conducted for the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” (FAZ) indicates that a majority of Germans attribute high gasoline prices to oil conglomerates. Specifically, 46% surveyed believe that excessive pricing from these major oil companies is the primary cause of the current high costs. Conversely, only 7% cited the Iran conflict as the most significant factor driving the price increases, while 45% indicated that the responsibility lies equally with multiple parties.
Shifting focus to the pricing structure, the FAZ analysis revealed that since April 1st, gas stations have been restricted to implementing price increases only at noon. The analysis showed that the average rise at midday amounts to approximately seven cents. Price reductions, by contrast, generally take place until 6 PM, after which fluctuations are minimal, and subsequent rate cuts early the following morning (after 7:30 AM) are typically minor. The analysis further noted that price surges tend to be more pronounced in cities where gasoline is already relatively cheap. This data was gathered from a face-to-face poll of 1,057 people conducted by the Allensbach institute between March 23 and April 9, 2026.