The president of Germany’s largest automobile association ADAC has resigned from his post after he backed raising the price of diesel and petrol.
In a press release yesterday, the organisation said Gerhard Hillebrand’s resignation was “a consequence of statements made in interviews which has led to considerable irritation among members as well as numerous complaints and membership cancellations at the turn of the year”.
Hillebrand said: “I have come to the conclusion that it is in the interests of the ADAC and its credibility to draw personal consequences from this.”
Previously, Hillebrand had spoken out in favour of raising fuel prices in order to incentivise Germans to switch from diesel and petrol-powered cars to electrical vehicles.
In a contentious interview with newspaper NOZ dated December 23, 2025, Hillebrand said: “Europe must stick to ambitious CO2 reduction targets because we need to limit global warming. The ADAC is clearly committed to this. Pretending that climate change does not exist would be a fatal mistake.”
Asked about the European Union’s plans to raise fossil fuel prices through higher carbon taxes, Hillebrand answered: “The ADAC considers CO2 pricing to be an appropriate instrument for achieving climate protection goals. People need the incentive to switch to climate-friendly alternatives to diesel and petrol.”
Germany already has a carbon tax which is periodically increased. On January 1, 2026, the price per ton of CO2 was raised from €55 to €65. Consequently, the average price of a litre of diesel rose by €0.04 to €1.66 at the time.
According to data from January 26, Germany has the third-highest diesel and petrol prices among 18 EU countries.
Hillebrand’s remarks therefore sparked ire with many of ADAC’s more than 22 million members – most of whom drive conventional cars with internal combustion engines.
According to newspaper Bild today, more than 60,000 members cancelled their membership in January 2026.
Hillebrand’s remarks reportedly also were not well-received internally, as an ADAC spokesperson told the newspaper: “Whether petrol, diesel or electric cars: we are strongly opposed to any further price burden without social compensation. Our mission is affordable mobility for all.”
Hillebrand, a lawyer specialising in traffic law from Berlin, became the ADAC’s Transportation President in 2019. The automobile association is led by a 10-member presidium. Hillebrand’s tasks will now be taken over by ADAC’s Technology President Karsten Schulze until his successor is nominated.
Founded in 1903 in Stuttgart, ADAC provides breakdown assistance for members, publishes road maps and tourist guides and acts as a political representation of the interests of German drivers.
