Fuel prices up, fuel prices down, and this is happening more and more often during the day: If Baden-Württemberg has its way, these fluctuations at gas stations will soon be over.

The Federal Council is scheduled to discuss a corresponding motion from the state today. A decision is not expected. The matter will first be referred to the committees.

The motion calls on the federal government to introduce a price cap similar to the Austrian model. In the neighboring country, gas station operators are permitted to raise prices once a day at noon. Price reductions may be made at any time.

The Federal Cartel Office counted an average of 22 price changes per gas station in the spring, with some even reporting more than 40 or, in rare cases, more than 50 per day. "There is a risk that consumers are being systematically misled," said Baden-Württemberg's Consumer Protection Minister, Peter Hauk (CDU). The frequent price changes make planning targeted fuel stops almost impossible.

ADAC: Fuel could even become more expensive

The ADAC warns that the proposed regulation could backfire on drivers. According to fuel market expert Christian Laberer, fuel could even become more expensive. "If companies are only allowed to raise prices once a day, there's a risk that the increase will be more significant from the outset than in a flexible model like ours." The idea behind this: If you can't raise prices later, you'd rather go further.

The ADAC advises drivers to "take advantage of the regular fluctuations in fuel prices throughout the day and, if possible, fill up at the most economical times of day." This can result in significant savings. In short, the savings formula is: in the evening instead of the morning.