Fuel prices do not deter drivers

Against the backdrop of demands by FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner for a fuel rebate, as well as the Union's call for a gasoline price cap, data analyses from providers Inrix and TomTom have shown no change in driving behavior among motorists in Germany. Speed remains particularly high on expressways. "Our speed analysis of several highway sections in Germany currently shows no change in driving habits due to fuel prices," explained Bob Pishue from Inrix to the dpa. However, there has been an increase in traffic during peak times, resulting in slightly lower speeds. Navigation data specialist TomTom confirms the analysis and sees slight differences between weekdays and weekends. During the week, speeds are actually higher because there are fewer cars on the road. On weekends, driving is slightly slower, but there is more traffic. Green Party transportation politician Stefan Gelbhaar called for a speed limit as a "logical consequence" of rising prices instead of discounts or price caps.

"Driving slower consumes less fuel," explained the Bundestag member and member of the transportation committee.

The Left Party faction, in line with the German Environmental Aid (DUH), recently called for a temporary speed limit of 100 km/h on highways, 80 km/h on country roads, and 30 km/h in urban areas. The NGO Greenpeace calculated that such a limit, combined with other measures like car-free Sundays, could reduce consumption and thus dependence on Russian oil by one-third. Instead of a rebate or price cap, DIW energy expert Claudia Kemfert also reintroduced the idea of the mobility or energy money championed by the Greens, which would be more socially balanced.

"We are more in favor of introducing mobility money, regardless of income and mode of transport—or even better, aimed at an ecological choice of transport modes," outlined the DIW scientist further.

For this to work, railways, public transport, cycling and walking paths, as well as e-mobility and charging infrastructure, would need to be promoted. Kemfert also considers an e-car quota to be helpful to achieve "market penetration as quickly as possible." She criticized that Germany spends 70 billion euros on fossil fuels.

"This also flows into the war chest of Vladimir Putin. We should invest this money in future mobility," demanded Kemfert.

According to a study by Heidelberg economist Benjamin Held based on data from the Federal Statistical Office, wealthy individuals would benefit the most in absolute terms from a flat reduction in energy prices. Conversely, the high price of fuel and energy affects lower income groups more relative to their income. A DIW analysis for owners of petrol cars shows, according to Spiegel Online, that the fuel price increase over the last twelve months resulted in a five percent increase in burden for the lowest income decile, compared to only 1.4 percent for the richest decile. For commuters, the relative additional burden was highest in the third poorest income decile, amounting to 5.5 percent of net income, compared to only two percent for the wealthiest.

Climate money would be fairer—mobility money possible immediately via tax

DIW economist Stefan Bach also believes that climate money is the best solution, with a certain amount paid out per capita. This would truly reach everyone. However, it cannot be introduced as quickly as necessary due to the price jumps. Therefore, he advocated for direct income support for poorer households, such as an already coalition-agreed heating cost subsidy, which could be increased. The agreed increase in the commuter allowance could also be raised again, which, however, relieves higher incomes more. From Bach's perspective, a mobility allowance would be the fairer solution, introduced under the old government's climate package. This benefits low earners who do not pay income tax. Medium incomes could also be relieved by deducting, for example, five cents per kilometer from the tax payment instead of taxable income. Then, according to Bach, everyone would receive the same amount per kilometer.