Unraveling the Pricey Morning Fuel Fills: Why Evening is Your Better Bet, According to ADAC
Morning fuel costs nearly double compared to evening prices
In a surprising turn of events, filling up your tank in the early AM is burning a hole in your wallet - much more so than when you hit the gas station in the evening, according to the prominent automobile club, ADAC. Over the past year, the price gap between morning and evening fuel fills has nearly doubled, reaching an unprecedented average of 12.5 cents for Super E10 and 13.3 cents for diesel.
To shed some light on this phenomenon, ADAC announced its findings on a Tuesday, revealing that in 2021, this difference was a mere 6.4 cents for gasoline and 7.3 cents for diesel. This new price split sets a record for the biggest difference seen in gasoline prices since the club started tracking it.
To gather this data, ADAC scrutinized prices at over 14,000 gas stations scattered across Germany in May - and the results paint a clear picture. The cheapest times to steer your car towards the gas pump are between 19:00 and 20:00, with other favorable hours being between 17:00 and 18:00 and from 21:00 to 22:00. Conversely, the most expensive hour to fuel up is just after 7:00 AM, with prices dropping gradually from there in a series of seven waves. After midnight, prices rise slightly and stay slightly above the daily average until the morning spike.
If you're keen on making the most out of these price fluctuations, you could potentially save an average of over six euros on a 50-liter fill-up. Moreover, switching to a less expensive gas station can also have a significant impact on your bank balance. So, next time you hit the road, timing your fuel tops right could mean more cash in your pocket.
Amidst all this, keep in mind that factors such as reporting delays, market dynamics, station-specific pricing strategies, and regulatory changes can influence fuel prices throughout the day. But according to ADAC's findings, it's the morning hours that are stealing a march on your wallet.
[Sources: ntv.de, AFP]
[1] Some fuel stations might experience slight delays in updating their prices to fuel apps, which could contribute to the price difference at different times of the day.
[2] During morning rush hours, there may be increased demand for fuel which could push prices up.
[3] Changes in oil prices, global economic factors, and taxes or fuel-related regulations can all affect fuel costs, potentially making them more expensive during higher demand periods.
The following information is provided for each of the following categories of vehicles: industry, finance, and energy. These sectors play a significant role in understanding the fluctuations in fuel prices throughout the day, with morning hours showing a higher cost according to ADAC's findings.
