{
  "id": 11086235,
  "title": "Ifo and DIW: Economic institutes consider fuel discount to be wrong",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/ifo-und-diw-wirtschaftsinstitute-halten-tankrabatt-fur-falsch",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-01T02:15:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/ifo-und-diw-wirtschaftsinstitute-halten-tankrabatt-fuer-falsch/100258826.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Two prominent German economic institutes, Ifo-Institut and Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), have criticized the fuel discount that came into effect today, saying it is the wrong approach. The discount, which reduces fuel tax by around 14 cents per liter from October 1 to December 31, benefits mainly frequent drivers with large cars, often households with higher incomes. Experts argue that this measure does not effectively target those who need relief, such as commuters with long working distances, and that the 2.5 billion euros in costs could be better spent. They suggest that if relief is to be provided, it should be done in a more targeted way, such as by increasing the commuter allowance.",
  "summary": "The federal government wants to cushion the burden of high fuel costs for consumers with a discount on petrol. Economic researchers consider the measure to be misguided - it benefits the wrong people.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ifo and DIW criticize tank rebate as misguided, say Clemens Fuest",
    "Tank rebate only benefits frequent commuters with large vehicles",
    "Economically, rebate would cost 2.5 billion euros"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The tank rebate criticism by Ifo and DIW means that policymakers may face pressure to replace the measure with more targeted relief for low-income households and frequent commuters.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}