Average fuel prices saw a slight drop on Monday (April 6) according to some estimates, but falls are set to be counteracted by the end of a fuel cap at thousands of stations across France.
TotalEnergies fuel cap ends
A fuel cap in place at 3,300 service stations across France ends tonight (April 7) after being in place since March 13.
The cap limited prices at €1.99 per litre for petrol and €2.09 per litre for diesel (gazole), significantly below average prices across France.
It was originally set to end on March 31 but extended to April 7 to cover the Easter period, however there has been no further announcement of the cap being extended once more.
However, adherents to TotalEnergies’ ‘avantage carburant’ scheme will continue to benefit from a €1.99 per litre cap for all fuel, including diesel, until the end of 2026.
Information on the scheme can be found in our article here.
Average fuel prices set to spike
The fuel cap has seen TotalEnergies offer diesel significantly cheaper than competitors, helping keep down average prices.
The French government estimates that diesel prices reached €2.336 per litre on average on Tuesday (April 7), an all-time high since records began in 1985.
TotalEnergies were offering prices 0.24c per litre below this, whereas Shell was pricing diesel at more than 0.38c per litre above the average.
It is all but certain that as TotalEnergies raises prices, these will see averages increase, even if other service stations keep prices stable.
It is worth noting that independent website Carbu.com estimates average fuel costs in France as slightly below this government figure.
The website claims diesel was €2.282 per litre on Monday, down from a peak of €2.305 on Sunday (April 5).
Likewise, the website records a slight drop in Super 98 petrol (down from €2.103 to €2.085 over the weekend), but records an increase in SP95, reaching a new high of €2.017 on Monday.
Rising fuel shortages only ‘logistic issue’
The number of service stations facing a shortage was estimated to be at To check the price of fuel at stations around France18% on Tuesday, however the government is assuring drivers that this is solely a logistic issue and resupply efforts will see this number drop.
French media outlets report that between 20%-25% of stations were reporting shortages over the weekend, but government figures are below
“The raw material, oil, is arriving in France. There are no problems at the refineries, no problems at the depots. The problem lies with the transport networks, primarily the TotalEnergies network,” said government spokesperson and Energy Minister Maud Bregeon to media outlet BFMTV this morning.
A lack of resupply operations caused by the long Easter weekend and public holiday on April 6 have also contributed to the shortages, but fuel trucks have returned to the roads today.
“83% of the stations experiencing difficulties are TotalEnergies stations,” she added.
The service station giant saw an influx in sales over recent weeks, with drivers looking to benefit from cheaper prices offered than elsewhere.
With the cap now coming to an end and prices expected to align with other stations, drivers will likely return to other stations for refills, leading to a more even distribution of fuel.
You can check the price of fuel at stations near you in France at this government website that is updated daily.
