Refuelling your car is cheaper at certain times of the day in France
Commuter rush sees morning prices spike but there are cheaper periods
Study shows that the price per litre of fuel can change by up to 13 cents per litre over the course of a day
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A sudden spike in petrol prices last week is leaving many concerned it is indicative of increasing fuel costs in Europe.
However, did you know that the price to refuel your vehicle at the pumps can change depending on what time of day you go?
With some careful planning, you can save up to €6 when refilling your tank.
Morning refuelling is most expensive
A study carried out in Germany but applicable to service stations across Europe including in France saw that the price per litre of fuel could change by up to 13 cents across a single day, regardless of weekly price shifts.
The country’s leading driving club ADAC conducted the survey, covering 14,000 service stations. The study indicated that the pricing is effectively dynamic according to consumption habits and real time demand.
It found that in general, refuelling a vehicle between 06:00 and 08:00 is the most expensive, as people are leaving for work and refuelling on the way, or tradespeople are filling their vehicles before work.
Prices remain similar until around 13:00, and slowly start dropping until the time service stations close.
Out of this wider period, optimal time periods to refuel were shown to be between 19:00 - 20:00, and 21:00 - 22:00 or just before close.
While both petrol and diesel prices are affected, the changes are slightly more prominent for the latter, with comparatively higher morning prices.
The study also revealed that, while these price fluctuations are more common than in 2024, they almost always occur at the same time periods, meaning drivers can plan ahead to avoid the highest costs.
The French government offers an official price comparison tool for petrol stations in the country. It does not show fluctuations throughout the day, but allows drivers to compare costs with nearby stations.
During periods of petrol shortage, it also shows the availability of petrol and where certain fuels are out of stock.
For owners of electric vehicles the number of charging stations is set to continue increasing as major investment is made in the sector.
