Energy is still pretty cheap in Germany. How many people choose a smaller car because gas is too expensive? Very few. How many people choose a bike for short trips because gas is too expensive? Very few. How many choose to pay higher rent and move to a city, because commuting from a suburb consumes too much gas? How many people try to form carpools because gas is too expensive?

The problem is that for some reason our politicians don't want to raise prices in a way that doesn't hit the poorest. For example with a tax&dividend system.