Preissetzungsregeln für Kraftstoffe: Mehr Wettbewerb durch weniger Volatilität

The German ‘Markttransparenzstelle für Kraftstoffe’ (Market Transparency Unit for Fuels) was set up in 2013 to inform consumers in real time about current prices at the filling stations. Actually, local prices differ far less than it was expected back then by the proponents of the information portal. Apparently, an easier comparison of conditions promotes the parallel behaviour of the providers and reduces the rivalry relationship between them. In a fairly general model, the two basic alternatives for pricing are compared in order to derive a regulatory rule which gives reason to expect fiercer competition in the fuel market. The associated temporary price maintenance promises to enhance the effectiveness of the Market Transparency Unit.