Fuel prices started the new year with a significant jump. On January 1st, both gasoline and diesel were significantly more expensive than at the end of 2025, according to ADAC figures. A liter of Super E10 cost 1,709 euros on a nationwide daily average on Thursday. That was 3.4 cents more than on December 31st. Diesel went up by 4 cents to 1.658 euros per liter.
The most important driver for the increase is likely to be the new CO₂ pricing, which can amount to up to 3 cents per liter. However, the price jump goes a little further. This becomes particularly clear if one uses December 29th rather than New Year’s Eve as a comparison value. Then it’s 5.4 cents for E10 and 6 for diesel. Experience has shown that when changes such as the CO₂ price occur, prices do not rise suddenly on the deadline, but at least in some cases shortly before the event.
2025 was the fourth most expensive year for fuel
The final figures are available for last year’s fuel prices. The average price for E10 is 1,688 euros and for diesel 1,611 euros. Both are a few cents less than in 2024. It is the third annual decline in a row. In 2022 – at that time, the start of the Ukrainian war had driven prices to previously unknown heights – it was still 1.946 euros per liter of diesel and 1.86 euros per liter of E10.
Despite the decline in 2025, refueling is still relatively expensive, ADAC fuel market expert Christian Laberer recently said. In addition, the situation could change quickly if international crises arise – especially in the Middle East. This is because by far the most important factor for the development of fuel prices is… Crude oil price is.
At the end of the heating season, diesel could become cheaper again
It is therefore difficult to look ahead. “When the heating season ends, diesel prices could decline significantly again,” said Laberer in December. “Beyond that, there isn’t much room for improvement, because if the price of oil falls even further, fracking would often no longer be worthwhile.” If this method of oil production fails, supply will fall, which would drive up the price again. However, there are no short-term reasons for a significant increase. Given the weakness of the global economy, demand is simply too low for that. “The most likely scenario is a sideways movement – i.e. relatively stable fuel prices.”
The cheapest refueling days in 2025 for E10 were December 17th at 1.637 euros per liter and for diesel May 26th at 1.537 euros.
E10 continues to have a niche existence
According to ADAC recommendations, if you want to save on fuel, you should try to fill up in the evening – then the price can be a good 10 cents lower than in the morning, when the highest prices are typically charged. In addition, most petrol engine drivers could choose cheaper E10. But so far only a quarter of them have done so.
From January to October, the fuel, which can contain up to 10 percent biofuel, accounted for 28.2 percent of domestic deliveries of gasoline, according to figures from the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). Normal Super E5 remains by far the dominant type of gasoline – although, according to ADAC, it is on average around 6 cents per liter more expensive.
“The rather irrational fear that the car will break as a result persists,” says Laberer. “Almost all cars with gasoline engines can run on Super E10 without any problems. We as ADAC also recommend this when the vehicle is approved – for environmental and cost reasons. It is not rationally clear why the fuel is used so little. Super E10 should actually have more than 90 percent market share for gasoline.”