The year 2022 will not only go down in history as a year with particularly high inflation.
According to ADAC calculations, it is also the year with the highest fuel prices to date.
This was unpleasant for everyone who is dependent on the car – but those on low incomes were particularly hard hit.
It wasn't just the Ukraine war that was to blame
The reasons were various.
The strengthening of the global economy after the pandemic caused the price of oil to rise even before the Ukraine war.
The higher CO2 price on fuel made little difference in comparison.
After the start of the war, however, prices skyrocketed.
There may have been a lot of speculation involved;
some took advantage of the moment.
Refineries that took over parts of the volumes previously supplied by Russia widened their margins.
Companies that were afraid of shortages stocked up on heating oil as a precaution - and thus indirectly drove up the price of diesel.
At some point it all went away.
Tank discount was only temporary
At times, the state stepped in with the tank discount.
But even that was only temporary.
In the end, drivers are left with memories of a year with extreme prices at the gas station.