Petrol Price Drops Below 2 Euros a Litre
4 min read
The petrol price has dropped back below 2 euros a litre. According to the ADAC, the German motoring club, the national average for Super E10 was 1.978 euros on 11 November 2026, and it had stayed under the 2-euro mark for five days in a row. Diesel stood at 2.217 euros. The fall comes while a temporary fuel tax cut, the Tankrabatt, is still in force until 31 December 2026, and the government is preparing a possible price cap for 2027.
Where the petrol price stands now
The ADAC's weekly average for Super E10 was about 6.3 cents lower than the week before, and diesel was 4.3 cents lower. On 4 November the club had reported E10 at 2.041 euros and diesel at 2.260 euros, so the movement over the past week has been steady rather than sudden. The ADAC says diesel still has "clear room" for further price cuts, which suggests the club expects the gap to narrow further if wholesale costs stay low.
Regional differences remain large. In a snapshot taken on 10 November at 11:00, the ADAC found Super E10 cheapest in Saarland at 1.859 euros and most expensive in North Rhine-Westphalia at 1.972 euros. For diesel, the cheapest figure was 2.100 euros in Berlin and the most expensive 2.218 euros in Baden-Württemberg. Drivers in border regions also compare prices with neighbouring countries, which can make a difference of several cents per litre.
Why the Tankrabatt matters for the petrol price
The Tankrabatt cuts the energy tax on petrol and diesel by 14 cents a litre, which is roughly 17 cents once value added tax is included. According to the ADAC, it runs from early October to the end of December 2026. The Stuttgarter Zeitung reports that the measure ends on 31 December 2026, so from 1 January the tax reduction disappears and pump prices can rise again unless something else changes.
That is why the end of the year matters for drivers as much as the current price. The Stuttgarter Zeitung warns that the planned price cap may not fully offset the loss of the tax cut, and that stations could move prices close to the maximum allowed. Drivers who plan a long trip or need to fill up in late December should keep an eye on prices in the final weeks of the scheme.
The proposed price cap for 2027
The coalition agreement calls for a price cap, the Spritpreisdeckel, to apply from 1 January 2027 at the latest. According to dpa, as reported by Heidelberg24 on 2 November, the cap would only be triggered if fuel prices rise well above the European average for three consecutive weeks, and it could be suspended if supply is at risk. The draft is limited to three months and is described as a crisis tool rather than a permanent rule.
The Stuttgarter Zeitung, reporting on a draft from 6 November, says that under the proposal the rule would take effect on 1 January 2027 but would not set maximum prices from that day. The first check would use data from the second full week of January, so the cap could apply in February at the earliest. The draft does not yet include the formula for the maximum price, and it has not been approved by the cabinet. Even if it is activated, the cap does not guarantee prices below today's level, the Stuttgarter Zeitung adds.
How to pay less at the pump
The ADAC recommends filling up shortly before noon, which can lower the petrol price you pay per tank. Under the so-called 12 o'clock rule, the Mittagsregel, stations may raise prices only once a day, at 12 noon. Prices therefore tend to be lowest in the late morning and rise sharply at midday. The ADAC supports abolishing the rule, arguing that it reduced the number of price changes but did not lower prices overall.
The club also advises comparing prices before stopping, since the gap between stations can be up to 7 cents a litre. Drivers of petrol cars built from November 2010 onward can usually use E10 instead of the more expensive Super E5, which the ADAC says saves about 5 to 6 cents a litre. The ADAC Drive app shows current prices at more than 14,000 stations in Germany around the clock.
What this means for expats
For expats who drive in Germany, the practical step is to check whether your car can use E10, since the ADAC says most petrol cars from November 2010 onward can. Filling up before noon and using a price app can reduce the cost of each tank and keep the petrol price you pay under control. Those who drive a diesel should also keep the lower diesel prices in mind, because the ADAC sees further room for cuts.
Anyone planning a long trip before the end of the year should take the Tankrabatt deadline into account. Our article on the end of the fuel tax cut in Germany explains what changes on 1 January and how it may affect drivers. Staying informed about the price cap will matter in early 2027, since its details are still being negotiated.
