Diesel prices at highest level
Seven in 10 drivers hit as fuel costs soar - although petrol price is reducing
PRICES of diesel have hit their highest level for three years - just short of €1.40 - causing a headache for the 70% of drivers in France who use it.
The absolute record price was set in 2008 when it hit €1.45. The soaring cost of diesel has come as the price of petrol has eased, with a litre of sans plomb 95 unleaded costing an average of €1.49 and the higher octane sans plomb 98 €1.53.
Oil industry professionals told 20 Minutes that the approach of winter and the increased demand for fioul heating oil is the main cause as both diesel and heating oil come from the same fraction of crude oil.
Jean-Louis Schilansky, president of the Union Française des Industries Pétrolières, said: "At the same time the seasonal demand for petrol is dropping in the winter because people are driving less."
Questioned on breakfast TV programme Télématin today some drivers said it was making them rethink their decision to buy diesel cars. One said: "With the higher cost of the car, the higher maintenance cost and now the increased fuel the sums are not adding up."
Paradoxically, diesel is more expensive than petrol on the main oil market in Rotterdam - by about 10centimes - but France puts a 20 centime tax surcharge on petrol, making diesel cheaper.
