Expensive Fuel: Survey Shows Changed Mobility Behavior in Germany

Noticeable Burden in Everyday Life

Among those over 50, the willingness to save in this area has risen by six percentage points since September 2025 — the most significant increase across all age groups. Overall, drivers see rising fuel costs as the most noticeable indicator of their personal inflation. Teambank chief Christian Polenz said: "Spritpreise sind für viele Menschen der Gradmesser ihrer persönlichen Inflation – und dieser Gradmesser schlägt gerade aus."

His institute belongs to the group of cooperative banks. Polenz warns of a noticeable burden on households should fuel prices continue to rise. Indeed, energy prices in Germany in May were significantly higher than a year earlier: for energy products, people in Germany had to pay 6.6 percent more in May than a year earlier, according to calculations by statisticians in Wiesbaden.

Price Momentum Eases

However, overall price momentum weakened in May, according to the Federal Statistical Office. In May, consumer prices were 2.6 percent above the level of the same month the previous year, after 2.9 percent in April. In April, energy prices had still risen by 10.1 percent. This marks the second consecutive month in which the increase in energy prices has eased.

The fuel discount in effect since May has curbed the inflation surge in Germany. The cut in energy tax on gasoline and diesel by nearly 17 cents per liter, in force since May 1, expires at the end of June. This means another rise in fuel prices at the pump is imminent should energy taxes return to their previous level.

Political Demands in the Context of Rising Prices

What measures people expect from policymakers is shown by another part of the survey: 32 percent cite a fuel price brake. This makes capping fuel prices one of the most frequently mentioned political demands in the context of the current wave of price increases. 47 percent associate this with a noticeable improvement in their own financial situation — a clear signal to political decision-makers in Berlin and Brussels.

Younger drivers in particular show themselves to be price-sensitive: in the under-30 age group, 35 percent said they leave their cars parked more often. This is not only an indication of financial constraints, but also of a possible shift in mobility behavior. Public transport, bicycles, or shared mobility services could gain importance in this context.

Developments at the pumps remain a politically sensitive indicator. Should the energy tax reduction expire as planned at the end of June, another price jump is to be expected. Whether the federal government will extend the measure or decide on alternative relief was still open at the time of the survey.