Lower Saxony’s Minister-President, Olaf Lies (SPD), has urged mineral oil corporations to ensure that the tax reduction on gasoline and diesel, effective May 1, is passed entirely to consumers. Furthermore, he emphasized that the corresponding price discount must be clearly and understandably displayed at all gas stations.
According to the Minister-President, the customer must be able to confirm that the full 17 cent discount has been applied at the pump. He pointed out that if this transparency is not maintained, ultimately, the wrong parties will profit. The “fuel discount” was authorized by both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat on Friday and is scheduled to remain in place for two months.
Regarding current supplies, Lies does not anticipate a shortage of gasoline or diesel. He noted that the state is currently managing the situation, adding that Germany’s reliance on oil is less singular or critically dependent than its gas supply was prior to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
However, he cautioned that both the federal government and the states must prepare for various potential scenarios. To guarantee supply security, the focus must be on ensuring that sufficient quantities of crude oil remain available. Lies confirmed that the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, along with the Federal Network Agency, have gathered significant competence to manage the organization of supply security, a task they have proven their ability to execute in the past.