Essen Set to Adopt Minimum Rental Car Prices to Level Playing Field
The Taxi and Rental Car Federal Association has called for cities to set minimum prices for rental vehicle services. General Director Michael Oppermann believes this will prevent harmful competition and safeguard consumers. Essen is poised to become the latest city to adopt such measures, with a council decision expected on September 24, 2025.
Oppermann argues that minimum base prices will create fair tariffs between taxis and rental car services. He points to successful implementations in cities like Heidelberg and urges others to follow suit quickly. The Federal Association anticipates this practice becoming common across German cities to manage price pressure in the mobility services sector.
Thomas Kanzler, a local official in Essen, is leading the charge to establish a minimum price for services like Uber and Bolt. The city council is set to decide on this policy, which could see ride prices increase by around 50% to foster fair competition with traditional taxis.
The Taxi and Rental Car Federal Association is advocating for minimum prices in rental vehicle services to promote fair competition and consumer protection. Essen is on the brink of implementing such measures, with a city council decision imminent. Other cities are encouraged to adopt similar policies to balance the mobility services sector.
