At the turn of the year, the CO2 price rose to between 55 and 65 euros per tonne of emissions, leading to a three to four cent increase per liter at gas stations for both gasoline and diesel. Surprisingly, ADAC’s President of Transport, Gerhard Hillebrand, defended this climate-policy-driven price increase in an interview with the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung,” sparking discontent among the organization’s over 22 million members, the vast majority of whom drive internal combustion engine vehicles.
ADAC Attempts to Reassure Members
In a statement provided to Bayerischer Rundfunk, the automobile club characterized the situation as a misunderstanding. They claim Hillebrand’s comments were taken out of context. The club states it supports climate protection while simultaneously advocating for relief measures in other areas. The ADAC points to the increased commuter allowance and reduced electricity grid fees as examples of policies influenced by their advocacy.
The automobile club acknowledges receiving numerous inquiries from members following the interview and reports a mid-four-digit number of membership cancellations. They state they are working to address individual concerns and encourage former members to rejoin.
Membership and Vehicle Trends
The world’s second-largest automobile club has 22.7 million members, with approximately 490,000 new members joining last year. Most members drive either diesel or gasoline-powered vehicles. Around 49 million passenger cars are registered in Germany, with only 4.1 percent being electric vehicles and 2.2 percent plug-in hybrids, according to the German Energy Agency.
2025 Saw Unexpected Relief at the Pump
The CO2 price has been increasing annually since 2024, rising from 30 euros per tonne to the current 55 to 65 euros per tonne. However, these increases do not automatically translate to higher prices at the gas station. According to calculations by Clever Tanken, 2025 was a comparatively inexpensive year for drivers. Super E10 averaged 1.6804 euros per liter, and diesel averaged 1.6055 euros per liter – five and four cents less, respectively, than in 2024.
This was due to a significant drop in oil prices on international commodity markets. Prices fell for five consecutive months in the second half of 2025, offsetting the simultaneous increase in the CO2 price.
Currently, the cost of driving is primarily increasing due to sharply rising insurance premiums, which have risen by an average of 44 percent between 2020 and 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused gasoline and diesel prices to increase at the start of the year?
The CO2 price increased to between 55 and 65 euros per tonne of emissions, which led to a three to four cent increase per liter at gas stations.
How many members has the ADAC lost due to the controversy?
The ADAC reports a mid-four-digit number of membership cancellations following the interview with Gerhard Hillebrand.
Was 2025 a costly year for drivers?
No, 2025 was a comparatively inexpensive year for drivers, with Super E10 and diesel costing less than in 2024 due to falling oil prices.
As the CO2 price continues to rise annually, will the ADAC be able to effectively balance its climate advocacy with the financial concerns of its membership?
