Filling up in Saxony is particularly expensive: what drivers can expect at the pump in 2025

Leipzig/Dresden. For many drivers, the new year began with an anxious look at the price display at the filling station. With the increase in the CO₂ price on January 1, a price increase for petrol and diesel was expected - and so it came to pass: liter prices initially rose for the new year. Drivers in Saxony are feeling the price jump particularly keenly, as fuel prices in the state are above average compared to the rest of Germany. An overview of current price trends at filling stations and the outlook for 2025.

The most important questions at a glance

• How have fuel prices developed recently?
• What is the current situation in Saxony?
• Why is refueling particularly expensive in eastern Germany?
• What can drivers expect in 2025?
• How can drivers save money?

How have fuel prices developed recently?

Anyone who has visited a petrol station in the past few weeks will have noticed that a tank of fuel has become a little more expensive. Prices had already risen on average in December: Super E10 cost around €1.66 per liter nationwide, a good cent more than in the previous month. The price increase for diesel was somewhat more pronounced: A liter cost around 1.60 euros on average, a good two cents more than in November. The price development for both types of fuel was determined by the consumer service "Clever Tanken". It cites the slight increase in the price of crude oil as the main reason, which is a key factor in the price trend at the pump. The Christmas vacations also played a role, according to Steffen Bock, founder and managing director of the portal. "The seasonally higher demand for heating oil also had a price-driving effect on the price of diesel."

A further increase is now expected in the first few weeks of January. This is because, as mentioned at the beginning, the national CO₂ tax has risen further. According to the German government, the price per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted is now 55 euros (previously 45 euros). According to "Clever Tanken", a liter of petrol now costs around 15.7 cents and a liter of diesel around 17.3 cents in CO₂ tax. This means that the price of a liter of petrol has risen by around 3 cents and a liter of diesel by around 3.1 cents compared to the previous year. However, the ADAC pointed out that many petrol stations still have their stocks full at the end of the year - so the full extent of the price increase is only likely to become apparent in the coming days and weeks. In Dresden and Leipzig, however, fuel prices have already risen by up to five cents compared to the last few days in January, according to data on price trends.

What is the current situation in Saxony?

The Free State of Saxony has long been one of the federal states with comparatively high fuel prices - and this seems to be continuing this year. On Monday afternoon, for example, customers in Saxony had to pay an average of 1.70 euros for a liter of diesel, 1.83 euros for Super and 1.77 euros for E10, according to the portal "Tanke günstig". At 1.72 euros, diesel was only more expensive in Saxony-Anhalt.

And another phenomenon is likely to make itself felt again this year: People filling up in Leipzig and Dresden will pay particularly high prices compared to other cities. The two major cities are consistently among the most expensive cities in Germany for refueling.

In Dresden, reaching for the pump labeled E10 was particularly expensive throughout the year: according to "Clever Tanken", customers here paid an average of around €1.75 per liter; only in Wuppertal was it more expensive. Leipzig, on the other hand, once again stood out for diesel: In the trade fair city, fuel was the most expensive nationwide at €1.69. The consumer service thus named Leipzig the "most expensive diesel filling station city of the year" for the second time in a row.

Why is refueling particularly expensive in eastern Germany?

Basically, pricing at petrol stations is complex. However, according to the Federal Cartel Office, the fact that the eastern German states are more affected by the embargo on Russian crude oil and petroleum products plays a role. The PCK refineries in Schwedt and Leuna, for example, are designed for Russian crude oil. "With the replacement procurement, the capacities cannot yet be fully utilized again," explained the authority.

According to the Bonn market watchdogs, Germany is particularly reliant on imports of diesel. Some western federal states benefit from their proximity to the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region, from where large quantities of the fuel are transported. The east of the country therefore relied more on Russia - but with the embargo, these imports have ceased. The refineries therefore have to procure more expensive substitutes and the transportation routes are longer.

What can drivers expect in 2025?

In addition to the increased CO₂ levy, the oil price is the most important factor. It is difficult to predict how this will develop, but analysts are venturing forecasts. According to them, the outlook is not so bad from a customer perspective: the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects an "oversupply" of oil this year. As a result, the oil price could fall. One reason for this is the weakening Chinese economy. According to the IEA, growth in demand for oil has slowed significantly here, as well as in other emerging markets.

How can drivers save money?

The Federal Cartel Office has long advised drivers to compare prices via the internet or smartphone apps, for example. In Germany, petrol station operators are obliged to report any price changes to the Market Transparency Office for Fuels. The price data is passed on to approved providers of consumer information services. An overview of the approved providers can be found on the Page of the Cartel Office.

In addition, petrol station customers should continue to pay attention to the right time. According to the market watchdogs, fuel is cheapest shortly before 7 p.m. and shortly before 10 p.m., while it tends to be most expensive at night and in the early morning. According to an analysis by the Cartel Office, petrol stations generally rely on many small price reductions and a few larger price increases per day. The price peaks are more pronounced in the morning than in the evening, and the average price falls over the course of the day. According to the authority's observations, there was another price peak last year - in the afternoon.

Last but not least, filling up on the highway remains particularly expensive: here the difference to other filling stations is around 39 cents for a liter of gasoline and 36 cents for diesel.