BERLIN, April 1 (Xinhua) -- A new fuel price rule took effect in Germany on Wednesday, allowing petrol stations to raise prices only once a day, at 12:00 noon, while cuts remain possible at any time. Violations can be punished with fines of up to 100,000 euros (115,619 U.S. dollars).
The measure was introduced after fuel prices jumped sharply following the start of the Iran war, with diesel prices rising by more than a third. The government says the new rule is intended to reduce frequent price changes, improve transparency, and make fuel prices more predictable for drivers.
According to Germany's Federal Cartel Office, petrol stations reported an average of about 20 price changes a day, with peaks of up to 50 times.
Consumer and industry groups have expressed doubt that the new rule will lower overall fuel prices. Experience in Austria suggests that similar measures mainly affect the timing of price changes rather than the general price level. ■
