⛽ Kraftstoffkostenrechner

German fuel prices consist of three main components: base fuel cost, taxes, and distribution margins. As of 2025, typical prices are €1.75-1.95/L for Super E10 (95 octane), €1.80-2.00/L for Super Plus E5 (98 octane), and €1.65-1.85/L for diesel. Taxation comprises approximately 65% of pump prices. Energy tax (Energiesteuer) adds €0.6545/L for gasoline and €0.4704/L for diesel. VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) at 19% applies to total price including energy tax, adding another €0.30-0.35/L. Carbon pricing (CO2-Preis) under Germany's climate protection program adds €0.08-0.12/L, scheduled to increase gradually through 2026. Regional variations exist despite national taxation. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg typically show prices €0.03-0.05/L higher than national averages due to geographic distance from North Sea refineries. Border regions near Poland, Czech Republic, and Austria often see lower prices due to competition from cheaper neighboring markets. Autobahn service stations (Autohof) charge €0.10-0.20/L premiums for convenience, making them significantly more expensive than supermarket fuel stations or independent stations in towns.

Germany uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km) to measure fuel efficiency - lower numbers indicate better efficiency. EU WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) provides standardized consumption ratings for all vehicles sold. Typical consumption ranges: small cars (VW Polo, Opel Corsa) 4.5-6.0 L/100km; compact cars (VW Golf, BMW 1-Series) 5.5-7.5 L/100km; mid-size sedans (Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4) 6.5-8.5 L/100km; SUVs and vans 7.5-11.0 L/100km; performance vehicles 9.0-14.0 L/100km. Real-world consumption typically exceeds WLTP ratings by 15-25% due to driving conditions, especially in urban environments. Autobahn driving at 130-180 km/h increases consumption dramatically - a vehicle rated 6.0 L/100km at 120 km/h may consume 9.0-10.0 L/100km at 160 km/h due to aerodynamic drag increasing exponentially with speed. Cold weather operation (common November-March) increases consumption 10-20% due to engine warmup requirements, increased rolling resistance, and auxiliary heating loads.

Average German driver covers 13,000-15,000 km annually. Urban commuters in Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich with good public transit may drive only 8,000-10,000 km yearly (€900-1,200 fuel costs at 7 L/100km and €1.80/L). Suburban and rural drivers, especially in car-dependent regions like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or Brandenburg, often drive 18,000-22,000 km annually (€2,000-2,800 fuel costs). Long-distance commuters (Pendler) traveling 60-80 km each way daily can accumulate 30,000+ km annually (€3,800-4,500 fuel costs), making fuel efficiency critically important. German driving patterns include significant Autobahn usage where no speed limits apply on approximately 70% of network. High-speed driving (>160 km/h) dramatically increases fuel consumption but remains common. Balancing time savings against fuel costs becomes key consideration - driving Stuttgart to Munich (220 km) at 160 km/h average saves 15 minutes compared to 130 km/h but costs €6-8 extra in fuel.

Optimal Autobahn Speeds: Fuel consumption increases exponentially above 130 km/h. Driving 150 km/h vs 130 km/h increases consumption approximately 25%. For long-distance Autobahn trips, limiting speed to 130-140 km/h provides optimal balance between travel time and fuel costs. On 500 km trip: 150 km/h average costs €65 in fuel (3h 20min); 130 km/h costs €52 (3h 50min) - saving €13 for 30 minutes additional travel time. Urban Driving Efficiency: German cities with extensive 30 km/h zones (Tempo-30-Zonen) and traffic calming measures benefit from smooth, anticipatory driving. Avoid harsh acceleration and braking - use engine braking and anticipate traffic light changes. Modern vehicles with start-stop systems reduce idling consumption in heavy traffic by 5-10%. Vehicle Loading and Aerodynamics: Remove roof boxes and bike racks when not in use - roof boxes increase consumption 10-25% at Autobahn speeds due to aerodynamic drag. Every 100 kg of unnecessary weight increases consumption 0.3-0.5 L/100km. Tire Pressure and Maintenance: Maintain correct tire pressure (specifications on driver's door jamb). Under-inflated tires by 0.5 bar increase rolling resistance and consumption by 3-5%. Use low rolling resistance tires (labeled A or B on EU tire label) saving 0.1-0.3 L/100km compared to standard tires.

Supermarket Fuel Stations: REWE, EDEKA, Aldi, and Lidl fuel stations offer significant discounts. REWE and EDEKA provide €0.03-0.04/L discounts with loyalty cards or grocery purchases. Aldi and Lidl offer base prices typically €0.05-0.08/L below branded stations (Aral, Shell, Total). For families refueling weekly (40L), supermarket stations save €80-100 annually compared to branded stations. Fuel Apps and Price Comparison: Clever Tanken, ADAC Spritpreise, and Mehr-tanken apps show real-time prices from nearby stations, legally required to report prices to Market Transparency Unit (Markttransparenzstelle). Prices fluctuate €0.05-0.15/L daily following predictable patterns - typically lowest 18:00-20:00 and highest 06:00-08:00 mornings. Strategic timing saves €3-6 per 50L fill-up. Fuel Cards for Businesses: DKV, UTA, and Shell Fleet cards offer business discounts and simplified tax documentation. High-mileage business drivers save €0.02-0.05/L through fleet agreements. Cross-Border Refueling: Germans living near borders with Luxembourg, Poland, Czech Republic, or Austria often refuel across borders. Luxembourg diesel is typically €0.15-0.25/L cheaper; Polish €0.20-0.30/L cheaper.

E10 vs E5 Gasoline: E10 (10% ethanol) typically costs €0.02-0.04/L less than E5 (5% ethanol). Most vehicles built after 2012 accept E10 without issues. Slight consumption increase (1-2%) with E10 is offset by lower price. Annual savings of €30-50 for average drivers choosing E10 over E5 or Super Plus. Diesel vs Gasoline Economics: Diesel vehicles offer 15-25% better fuel economy and diesel costs €0.10-0.15/L less than gasoline, creating compelling economics for high-mileage drivers. Break-even mileage on €3,000-5,000 diesel premium is approximately 15,000-20,000 km annually. However, diesel bans (Diesel-Fahrverbote) in Stuttgart, Hamburg, and other cities restrict older diesels (pre-Euro 6). Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs): PHEVs like VW Golf GTE, BMW 330e, and Mercedes C300e offer 40-80 km electric-only range, sufficient for typical German daily commute (25-35 km each way). Electricity costs €0.30-0.40/kWh (€6-8 per "tank"), equivalent to €0.50-0.70/L gasoline. BAFA environmental bonus provides up to €4,500 purchase subsidy for qualifying PHEVs. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Tesla Model 3, VW ID.3, and others eliminate fuel costs entirely. Home charging at €0.30/kWh provides equivalent of €0.60/L fuel. BAFA provides €6,750 purchase bonus.

Commuter Allowance (Entfernungspauschale): German tax law allows deducting €0.30/km for first 20 km and €0.38/km beyond 20 km of daily commute distance (one-way). 40 km daily commute = €2,440 annual deduction, saving €600-1,000 in taxes depending on tax bracket. Deduction applies regardless of actual fuel costs, benefiting efficient vehicles or carpoolers. Company Car Taxation (Dienstwagen): Private use of company vehicles taxed at 1% of gross list price monthly (0.5% for some electric vehicles, 0.25% for qualifying BEVs). Fuel paid by employer is tax-free benefit. For €40,000 vehicle: monthly tax €400 (1% rule). Company covers all fuel costs tax-free, making long commutes financially attractive despite personal taxation.

Most Expensive Regions: Southern Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) consistently shows highest prices, averaging €0.03-0.05/L above national average. Distance from North Sea refineries and higher local taxes contribute. Munich, Stuttgart, and Nuremberg among most expensive cities. Tourist regions (Alpine areas, Baltic coast during summer) charge premiums of €0.05-0.10/L. Cheapest Regions: Industrial Ruhr area (Nordrhein-Westfalen) with high station density creates competition, offering prices €0.02-0.04/L below national average. Border regions near Luxembourg, Poland, and Czech Republic show competitive pricing. Independent stations in small towns often undercut major brands by €0.05-0.08/L. East vs West Price Differential: Former East German states (Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) generally show slightly lower prices (€0.01-0.03/L) than western states.

Germany's central European location makes it transit hub for international travel. Plan refueling strategically for international trips - Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark have higher fuel prices (€0.10-0.30/L more); Poland, Czech Republic, and Luxembourg offer lower prices (€0.15-0.30/L less). Fill up appropriately before border crossings. For long Autobahn trips, avoid service station (Autohof) refueling despite convenience - €0.15-0.25/L premiums add up quickly. Exit Autobahn to nearby towns every 200-300 km for cheaper refueling at supermarket stations or independents. Extra 10-15 minutes per stop saves €8-12 per 50L fill-up on long trips.

German government climate policies increase CO2 pricing €5-10 annually per ton, adding €0.01-0.02/L fuel costs yearly through 2026-2030. Long-term trend toward higher fossil fuel taxation to fund renewable energy transition and meet EU climate targets. Electric vehicle infrastructure expansion (Ladesäulen) and improving BEV range make electric alternatives increasingly practical for average drivers. Diesel restrictions expanding in more cities as air quality regulations tighten, affecting diesel resale values and practicality for urban drivers.

This calculator helps German drivers estimate trip costs and budget transportation expenses. Input trip distance in kilometers, vehicle's L/100km consumption rating (found in owner's manual or WLTP documentation), and current local fuel price (check apps like Clever Tanken or ADAC Spritpreise). Rechner instantly shows fuel needed and total cost in euros. Use it to compare routes (Autobahn speed vs slower but more efficient driving), evaluate vehicle purchase decisions (how much do you save annually with more efficient model?), or plan road trip budgets. Experiment with different consumption values to see how driving style affects costs - reducing consumption from 7.5 to 6.5 L/100km saves €250-300 annually for average 15,000 km driving.