Fuel Up Smarter, Save Cash with Morning Fills Almost Half as Costly as Nighttime Ones (Sorta)
Morning fuel prices nearly double compared to evening prices
Hopping downtown for that early-morning coffee? Better hold off on that gas pitstop! According to German automobile club ADAC, splurging on fuel around dawn could burn a hole in your wallet, with prices nearly twice as steep as those you'd score in the evening hours—a trend that's only been escalating since the previous year.
In recent figures, the ADAC announced that the difference between the highest and lowest daily average prices in May was a whopping 12.5 cents for Super E10 and a hefty 13.3 cents for diesel. That's up from a mere 6.4 cents for gasoline and 7.3 cents for diesel in the same period last year.
Gasoline's highest-ever daily price difference clocked in at 11 cents in 2020, while diesel trumped that record this year with a staggering 16 cents. The inevitable increase in fuel prices, linked to the conflict in Ukraine, likely played a part in this marked rise.
But fear not, fuel-conscious drivers! By riding the price waves and filling up during optimal hours, you could slash your overall expenses. So, when's the best time to roll in for a fill-up? Between the hours of 19:00 and 20:00, according to the ADAC's analysis of more than 14,000 gas stations across Deutschland. Alternatively, squeezing in some fuel between 17:00 and 18:00 or 21:00 and 22:00 isn't an awful idea, either.
On the flip side, if you're itching to hit the road while the birds are still snoozing, well, you might want to brace yourself for a wallet wallop. The most gouging fuel prices can be found shortly after 7:00 AM, so steer clear during that hour-long window.
Once you've dodged the early morning rush, fuel prices gradually decrease in waves for the remainder of the day. But beware! Prices start to creep up again around 23:00 and remain notably higher than the daily average until morning.
So, how much cash could savvy motorists save by timing their pitstops wisely? Averaging over six bucks, to be exact. That's what you'd save on a 50-liter tank by doing peaceful protest against those daybreak dollars. Add in choosing a more affordable fuel station, and your savings potential balloons even more.
When it comes to these smart-shopping tips, it seems the ADAC really delivers. But remember, for a deeper dive on the intricacies of morning-evening fuel price differences, check the ADAC's official report or give them a ring for even more insights!
[ntv.de, AFP]
The following information is provided for each of the following categories of vehicles in regards to fuel efficiency: industry, finance, energy, and retail. In the presented analysis by ADAC, it was found that the optimal time to fill up a vehicle's gas tank in Germany is between 19:00 and 20:00, with significant savings possible compared to morning fueling.
