Fuel shortages across France remain uneven but persistent, with diesel particularly affected as prices reach record highs and supply chains remain under pressure from the conflict in Iran.
Shortages are overwhelmingly linked to diesel, which remains the dominant fuel in France. Around three-quarters of transport fuel consumption relies on it, leaving the country exposed to international supply shocks.
The primary cause is the disruption of global supply routes following the conflict involving Iran, notably the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for oil products.
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Europe, including France, remains heavily dependent on imported diesel, with limited domestic refining capacity to compensate.
Why shortages vary locally
The patchwork nature of shortages reflects distribution rather than a nationwide lack of fuel.
This has concentrated shortages at specific sites rather than across entire regions.
Logistical constraints - including transport, storage and local demand spikes ahead of the Easter holidays - are also contributing factors.
No immediate rationing - but warnings issued
The government has so far ruled out immediate restrictions, pointing to strategic reserves of around 100 million barrels. A partial release has already been committed through international agreements.
In theory, it is permitted to fill up jerrycans and other authorised containers equalling to 333litres of petrol and 1,000litres of diesel at a service station at a time, but in reality this is all but impossible for most households due to the 50litre capacity limit on transporting the fuel.
Department prefects can pass temporary measures to limit this number - in 2022, the prefect in Pyrénées-Orientales imposed a 30-litre fuel limit per vehicle, with using jerrycans to purchase and stock up on additional fuel being completely prohibited.
