Depot, refueling and charging

The quick refueling or charging process is no longer enough for many drivers. Coffee, sandwiches and warm snacks have now become a standard part of stopping at the gas pump for many customers. A recent survey shows what consumers value in this regard — and how much they are willing to spend on it.

The new fuel discount should relieve motorists in light of the record prices for petrol and diesel. But just a few days after the launch, prices are rising again. The ADAC says that the relief is melting away even faster than expected.

(dpa) Fuel prices are reaching new record highs: gasoline is as expensive as ever, diesel is approaching its previous peak. The coalition now wants to act quickly to counteract – but there is still disagreement about the concrete measures.

The SMART/LAB Innovationsgesellschaft mbH (Smartlab) offers BVTM members an exclusive charging card offer. This makes it easier for Smartlab to enter electromobility and at the same time enables access to a Europe-wide charging network.

(dpa) Preliminary analyses indicate an incomplete pass-through of the tax relief. At the same time, new procedures are intended to create greater transparency regarding price formation and costs.

(dpa) Already by the morning after the end of the tax relief, fuel prices are noticeably above the previous day's level. Further price movements throughout the day are possible.

(dpa) With the expiry of the temporary tax cut on fuels, consumer centers expect rising prices. They demand tight oversight by the Federal Cartel Office and further relief in energy costs.

A factsheet demonstrates the everyday practicality of electromobility. Transparent charging prices are demanded and a stronger used-car market is needed to further accelerate the transition.

Attractive terms from Hamburg's "Future Taxi" initiative are now valid nationwide. The range of benefits also expands significantly for car washing and refueling.

Doubt often accompanies it. Whoever speaks about electromobility in the taxi trade quickly lands on the question of the battery's durability. Especially in continuous operation, with many charging cycles and high mileage, it is regarded as a bottleneck. Now figures from DEKRA and from Munich taxi operations provide a differentiated picture.

Australia goes electric. The fifth continent, known for kangaroos, endless outback, venomous snakes and the gigantic Ayers Rock, will be surprisingly electric. A tour with the Mini Aceman is meant to show why many Australians are switching – at least in the big cities.

(dpa) The Bundestag and the Bundesrat have kicked off the fuel discount — meanwhile, fuel at the pump will still be more expensive for the time being. 

With charging infrastructure in key cities and new partners, Uber aims to consolidate its position in the growing market for autonomous mobility services in the United States.

(dpa/lno) The Senate is increasing funding for electric taxis. Financial subsidies are intended to accelerate the replacement of remaining internal-combustion vehicles and to secure operations with additional charging points.

The transition to electric propulsion is regarded in the taxi and rental-car industry as a necessary but complex step. Charging infrastructure, billing systems, and operating processes must fit together for electromobility to function in everyday life. Against this backdrop, the Bundesverband Taxi und Mietwagen (BVTM) has formed a new partnership: The Aachen-based IT service provider SMART/LAB now belongs to the circle of association partners.

The electrification of the taxi industry is often framed as a political objective. How it works in everyday life remains a challenge for many taxi operators. In Berlin, a research project of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is to help analyze the situation.

Shell is now offering members of the Federal Association of Taxi and Hire Cars (BVTM) exclusive terms for electric mobility and conventional fuels. In doing so, Shell reinforces its partnership with the BVTM and supports the industry in the mobility transition.

ChargePoint, provider of charging solutions for electric vehicles, has announced that all of the company's current charging stations now support Plug & Charge technology. The solution, based on ISO standard 15118-20, enables an automated charging experience: plug in the vehicle, start charging and bill – all without additional authentication steps.

ACE calls for simplified tariff structures, clear cost disclosures, and a market-transparency authority for electricity tariffs. A test drive reveals substantial price differences between electric cars and internal combustion engine vehicles, as well as hundreds of varying charging tariffs at only a few stations.

The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio is expanding the functionality of its battery-swapping stations in Sweden and, for the first time, has received approval to participate in local grid frequency regulation. According to the trade portal CNEVpost, the grid operator Svenska kraftnät has incorporated the company's stations into the Swedish system for frequency stabilization (FCR-D).

The new charging park in Rheda-Wiedenbrück offers twelve high-power charging points for passenger cars, trucks and motorhomes. Shell is focusing its grid expansion on heavily trafficked transport hubs and is expanding its offering with hundreds of AC charging points via its subsidiary ubitricity.

Leipzig aims to accelerate the transition to electric taxis. After a controversial debate, the city council decided to expand the charging infrastructure at mobility stations. As a result, taxi companies will in the future also benefit from new charging options.

The open cloud platform from PACE Telematics enables oil companies, gas stations, and vehicle manufacturers to integrate payment solutions directly into the vehicle or into apps – regardless of provider or system.

(ots) An analysis of nearly one million charging points shows: The European Union has only reached 26 percent of its 2030 targets. Large differences between the individual countries: Norway and the Netherlands lead, Germany sits in the middle of the pack. Retail is becoming a driver of charging infrastructure.

In addition to diesel and petrol, LNG, HVO100 and additional services are also available to customers. Following Spain and Great Britain, this marks the company’s third step in its collaboration with Shell this year.

With new locations and a tiered price discount for high charging volumes, Vattenfall is creating better conditions for the operation of e-taxis. The charging points are reserved exclusively for taxis and are intended to accelerate the industry's transition to emission-free vehicles.

The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has intensified – and this is already reflected in the international commodity markets. Following the Israeli attack on Iranian territory, which also hit nuclear facilities, the prices for crude oil and natural gas have risen significantly. For consumers in Germany, this could soon be noticeable at the pump.

(dpa) A data analysis shows: Many fuel prices are only valid for a few minutes. Consumer advocates speak of misleading practices, the Federal Cartel Office sees a need for action – and refers to international regulatory models.

In Hamburg, the transition in transportation continues to quietly progress through the city—at least according to the politicians and participants of the Future Taxi project. Since the beginning of this year, only locally emission-free taxis are permitted to be newly registered in the Hanseatic city—energy supplier Vattenfall is now becoming the largest partner for the taxi fast-charging infrastructure in Hamburg.

(dpa/lni) In Bremerhaven, drivers can now also refuel with hydrogen if they have a suitable car. The new facility was opened by a prominent guest.

(ots) Although the expansion of public charging infrastructure continues to advance, local providers still dominate the regional charging station market.

(dpa) The Bundesrat is dealing with a reform of emissions trading. It sounds technical - but it can have noticeable effects on consumers.

UTA Edenred expands the fuel network in Finland through a partnership with the Finnish energy company Oy Teboil Ab (“Teboil”).

In 2024, around 125 hydrogen refueling stations were newly opened worldwide: 42 of them in Europe, approximately 30 in China, 25 in South Korea, 8 in Japan, and 13 in North America. This is the result of the 17th annual evaluation by H2stations.org, an information service of Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST). 

PACE Telematics introduces the PACE Drive Business digital fleet card for efficient fleet management.

ACE, Europe's mobility companion, and the provider of convenience stores and mobility solutions Circle K are now cooperating to offer new benefits to ACE members. With the FleetCard4You fuel card, members not only save on every refuel, but also on car washes and lubricants.

Operators of charging parks can now easily integrate charging stations of various brands into charging parks using Vector's vCharM charging and load management software. 

(dpa/lrs) How far can I get with an electric car, where are charging stations, and are they occupied? On the state of electromobility in Rhineland-Palatinate.

(ots) Zaptec, one of the leading European manufacturers of charging solutions for electric cars, is now offering its charging station Zaptec Pro as a legal metrology-compliant solution as standard for the German and Austrian markets.

The German expert in automotive chemistry also achieves new records in oil and additive production and pays up to 7,000 euros in bonuses to the workforce. The number of employees rises to 1,200 – underscoring the company's success and attractiveness.

(dpa) Electric or combustion engine? At least when it comes to refueling and charging, there should be no difference at VW in the future.

(ots) This makes ChargeHere, a subsidiary of EnBW, operate one of the largest charging locations in NRW.

(ots) Electric cars can do much more than "just" drive quietly and without emissions. With bidirectional charging technology, they can store electricity and feed it back into the grid. The latest study by Transport & Environment (T&E) shows that this could enable savings worth billions for Europe's energy providers and motorists.

The past year was somewhat more favorable overall for consumers in terms of fuel prices than 2023. This is shown by the ADAC's review of fuel prices in 2024.