Automotive 2 min read 1h ago

ADAC Finds New Fuel Discount Partner

Esso will replace Shell as ADAC's fuel discount partner from 1 September, after Shell ended its 20-year agreement with the motoring club.
ADAC's 22 million members will keep the one-cent-per-litre discount; an introductory rate of two cents applies at Esso stations until 15 October.
Esso operates around 1,100 stations in Germany, roughly 800 fewer than Shell, presenting a practical limitation for members seeking nearby outlets.

Germany's largest motoring club, ADAC, has secured Esso as a replacement partner for its popular member fuel discount scheme, after Shell announced it would end a 20-year arrangement at the close of the year. The new partnership takes effect from 1 September, ensuring the discount is preserved for the club's 22 million members.

The arrangement

The ADAC discount has long been valued for its simplicity: members need only present their membership card at the pump to receive one cent off per litre, with no prior registration or app required. Under the incoming Esso arrangement, that mechanic remains unchanged. During the transition period before Shell's contract expires at year-end, members will be able to claim the discount at both Shell and Esso stations simultaneously.

As an introductory incentive, Esso is reported to be offering two cents per litre from 1 September through to 15 October, after which the rate reverts to the standard one cent. While the saving may appear modest, it amounts to 50 cents on a 50-litre fill and roughly €10 across 20 visits.

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Shell's departure

Shell said it is choosing to concentrate on its own loyalty scheme, Club Smart, and to develop its fuelling app further. Through that programme, Shell currently offers two cents per litre or a points system redeemable against fuel vouchers — a process described in the source material as more cumbersome than the ADAC card arrangement.

Fewer stations, larger audience

The switch does carry one practical drawback for motorists: Esso operates just over 1,100 filling stations across Germany, compared with Shell's roughly 1,900 — a difference of approximately 800 sites. For Esso, however, the deal represents a significant commercial opportunity, bringing a potential customer base of 22 million ADAC members into its network.

The outcome preserves one of German motoring's most widely used consumer perks at a moment when fuel costs remain a tangible household concern.

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