French fuel crisis: summer diesel extended; 14% shortages at pumps

France’s fuel woes continue this week, as prices remain near record levels and the number of service stations facing shortages remains worryingly high. 

The government is looking at additional measures to limit the impact of growing costs, and is set to outline new emergency aid measures this evening, both for impacted sectors and low-income drivers. 

This includes plans to redistribute surplus VAT from higher fuel prices into aid measures, and extending the use of summer diesel further into the autumn season. 

Shortages grow as prices hover at record levels

Fuel prices remain extremely high today (September 22) for all fuel types.

Diesel (gazole) is averaging €2.39 per litre, down from an all-time record of €2.40 set over the weekend, but still around 5c higher than last week.

SP95-E10 is averaging €2.15, also slightly down on weekend figures of €2.17, but higher than the €2.11 recorded last week. 

SP98 has dropped to around €2.24 on average, down from the weekend high of €2.28. 

It is worth noting that in recent weeks, fuel prices have tended to drop at the start of the week, before rising as the week goes on and hitting high prices at the end of the week and weekend. 

If this trend is followed, prices will no doubt reach new heights by the end of this week. 

The government releases data on average prices weekly (on a Monday, for prices on the Friday before) however unofficial averages are given throughout the week, including on tracking site Carbu. 

Another concerning measurement is the increasing number of service stations facing shortages. 

As of 09:00 this morning, 14% of service stations across France were out of at least one type of fuel, according to the official prix carburant website. 

In the Lot, Paris, and Belfort, more than 25% of stations are out of at least one type of fuel however. 

Again, shortages tend to grow over the weekend – with more vehicles out on the road – then fall at the start of the week. 

It is worth noting too that the government figures count a service station as experiencing a shortage if it has no petrol or no diesel available.

This means that if a service station has run out of one type of petrol, such as SP95, but it still has supplies of other types it will not be counted in the figures. 

It is therefore possible that the government figures underestimate the true extent of the shortage. 

It is also worth noting that most of the shortages recorded by the government are at service stations run by Total Energies which has been operating an ongoing cap on fuel prices and whose cheaper fuel is therefore in higher demand. 

Aid incoming

The government has remained stalwart throughout the crisis during its peaks and troughs – caused by tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – that certain aid measures are off the table.

This includes any slashing of fuel taxes, including VAT on fuel. Currently, this sits at 20%, but there have been calls to reduce this to 5.5%. 

Last week, the government confirmed it would not cut fuel taxes, as this would lead to a financing hole of billions on the eve of a savings-focused budget. 

However, there are plans for the 2027 budget to include a measure that would siphon off any increase in revenues from excess VAT on fuel sales, preventing the government from ‘benefitting’ from the crisis. 

This so-called ‘golden rule’ will need to be passed by MPs and senators in the budget vote, however it is unclear if such a rule would ever come into effect.

Tax revenue from fuel sales is down -€407 million since the end of February, when tensions between Israel/US and Iran first began affecting the global market. This is compared to sales across the same period in 2025. 

Even if the state is making more money on VAT per sale, the cumulative amount of petrol being sold is dropping drastically, as drivers look to change habits, either by reducing vehicle usage or obtaining cheaper fuel in neighbouring countries. 

The exact aid to be announced this evening remains unknown, but it is set to include measures to help both the general public, as well as sectors struggling including the fishing and agriculture industries. 

A renewal, or expansion, of the current €100 fuel aid is possible.

This aid, for people who drive to work or use their vehicle for their job, has been extended several times due to low uptake, but remains limited to a one-time use and a maximum aid of €100. Government figures estimate only half of the 3 million eligible drivers have so far applied. 

The government has already announced that ‘summer diesel’, which freezes at 0c as opposed to -15c due to its chemical make-up, will remain available for suppliers to sell until November 15. Summer diesel is usually banned after November 1.

This should ensure a crossover of supplies while new winter variants are imported or begin production, reducing the risk of a wider shortage. 

It follows a similar pattern to this spring, where winter diesel was allowed to remain in pumps slightly longer for drivers to benefit from. 

However, drivers in cooler areas - where temperatures may drop below 0c, should be careful about using the fuel to reduce the risk of it freezing in their vehicle.

If the fuel does freeze, it can congeal and leave wax deposits, clogging fuel lines and filters.