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Spatial Competition and Pass-through of Fuel Taxes: Evidence from a Quasi-natural Experiment in Germany

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  • Frederik von Waldow
  • Heike Link

Abstract

This paper analyses the pass-through rates and their determinants of the temporary German fuel discount in 2022 at its start and its termination. Based on a unique dataset of fuel station characteristics and prices, we employ a Regression Discontinuity in Time (RDiT) methodology to estimate heterogeneous pass-through rates. Our main contribution is to identify the impact of horizontal and vertical market structures on the extent to which taxes are passed on to consumers. While competitive pressure is positively associated with the response of prices to tax changes, we estimate lower pass-through predominantly for more isolated stations with fewer competitors. Furthermore, our results indicate that independence from upstream markets is accompanied by a reduced pass-through of tax changes suggesting the existence of double marginalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Frederik von Waldow & Heike Link, 2024. "Spatial Competition and Pass-through of Fuel Taxes: Evidence from a Quasi-natural Experiment in Germany," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2086, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp2086
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gasoline prices; local competition; tax pass-through; regression discontinuity in time;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • H22 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Incidence
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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