Fuel prices and shortages in France: Latest updates

France continues to be impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, as concerns over fuel shortages and continued high prices impact drivers.

Logistic sector leaders are planning strikes across the country this week as they seek better direct fuel aid, with protests already taking place near Lyon and Paris.

Below, we detail major updates relating to the fuel crisis.

Fuel prices remain steady… for now

Fuel prices have somewhat stabilised in the last week, although shortages and restrictions lead to marked variations across the country. 

Fuel comparison site carbu.com lists average prices for fuel in France today (March 31) as: 

• €2.040 per litre of SP98 (E5): -1.5% compared to last week

• €1.897 per litre of Super 98 (E10): no change compared to last week

• €2.013 per litre of SP95 (E5): -0.70% compared to last week

• €1.987 per litre of SP95 (E10): -0.10% compared to last week

• €2.175 per litre of Diesel (gazole): -1.7% compared to last week

The graphic below shows the price of diesel on Monday (March 30), according to government data. This is in comparison to carbu.com, which uses crowdsourced information, hence the discrepancy in pricing.

Part of the reason the average is being brought down is the fuel cap in place at service station giant TotalEnergies.

This fuel cap is set to end today, and company leaders will meet this week to assess whether the policy will be renewed for part of April.

The recent stabilisation comes after a significant increase in prices with diesel up some 25% and petrol between 10% - 15%. 

Driver behaviour may also be a reason for the stabilisation, with a reduction in vehicle usage leading to fewer purchases.

Shortages begin in service stations

However service stations across France are beginning to warn of shortages, as the knock-on effect of a reduction in oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz affects global supply. 

More than 300 stations across France were experiencing shortages over the weekend, particularly for diesel.

The impact is particularly noticeable at TotalEnergies stations, where the fuel cap has seen a surge in sales.

“Inevitably, consumers looking for the cheapest fuel are diverting to these stations, which, in terms of storage or delivery times, cannot absorb all these customers,” said Francis Pousse, head of service station distributor Mobilians, quoted in Capital. 

Overseas territories and also Corsica are said to be particularly vulnerable to shortages.

Suppliers are advising drivers that restocking is taking place and that localised shortages will be dealt with.

The government will meet with fuel distributors later this week to assess the risk of any shortages, and look at ways to avoid any wider lack of fuel.

In the UK, there are reports the government is considering a fuel cap or lower speed limits to improve fuel retention, options that may also be discussed in France. 

However, there are no reports in the French media that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is considering such action.

Exceptional use of less cold-resistent diesel 

One measure that has been authorised by the government however is the temporary approval of ‘summer diesel’ “that does not conform to European specifications.”

On March 25, the government approved a temporary measure authorising the sale of diesel where the “filtration temperature limit is 0°C instead of -15°C,”. 

This means that fuel may freeze at temperatures below 0C, rather than -15C, but reliquify when temperatures reach above this. 

Drivers in areas facing chilly mornings may see it take longer to start their vehicles. They will benefit from using anti-freeze.

However, those in these colder areas – particularly the east and in mountainous areas of the country – should be careful about using the fuel even after April.

This diesel will not be sold at a lower price than other types on the market, with its sale aiming to limit further shortages.