While diesel exceeds 2.30 euros per liter, the government rules out any risk of shortage. However, some stations are experiencing disruptions, notably at TotalEnergies.
There soaring fuel prices continue in Francebut the government wants avoid any shortage scenario. Invited Tuesday on France 2, the Minister Delegate for Energy Maud Bregeon ensures that supply remains generally assured, while unavailability is increasing in certain stations and diesel now exceeds 2.30 euros per liter.
“There is no risk of shortage and 90% of stations have no supply difficulties,” said Maud Bregeon, here in the photo. According to the minister, 10% of stations are however experiencing a shortage of at least one fuel. The situation appears particularly tense in the TotalEnergies network. Due to the price cap put in place in its stations, “86% of the stations” of the group would be affected by shortages, said the minister. © Ministry of Energy
This tension occurs while the pump prices continue to rise : since the weekend, the diesel nears its record recorded since the outbreak of war in Iran last February and now exceeds 2.30 euros per liter. According to data from the government site, 13% of gas stations had unavailability on Monday, compared to 8% on September 12. However, the government ensures that it has the necessary means to avoid a widespread disruption of supply. Maud Bregeon had already made a similar speech in the spring, recalling the existence of strategic oil stocks.
Coopérative U accuses Total of “unfair competition“
The CEO of Coopérative U, Dominique Schelcher, shares the observation that there is no risk of shortage on a national scale. “There is no risk of shortage“, he added on LCI. However, the leader maintains his criticism against TotalEnergieswhom he accuses of practicing “unfair competition“.”When the margins (from this group, editor’s note) are multiplied by 4 or 5, it is still quite exceptional“, he declared. In fact, Dominique Schelcher calls for act directly on sales prices to distributors : a “something that would benefit all French people is to sell cheaper to all fuel sellers, including us for example, to allow us to reach a larger number of people with a reduced price“.
For his part, Michel-Edouard Leclerc offers another avenue for hold the bill at the pump : he pleads for “suspend” the share of energy saving certificates (CEE) – and he is not the only one…
Fuels: faced with soaring prices, Retailleau is banking on the elimination of EECs
Retailleau proposes to eliminate energy savings certificates
The LR presidential candidate Bruno Retailleau also proposes, in order to lower the price of fuelof remove energy savings certificates. According to him, this measure would reduce the price of gasoline by 15 to 17 cents per liter, or “a saving of 8.5 euros per full tank of gasoline“.”I am the candidate who wants to increase the purchasing power of the French without an additional euro of debt“, he said during a press conference.
Created in 2005 on the polluter pays principle, the EEC system requires energy suppliers to finance actions intended to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. Its scope of application has gradually expanded, particularly to electric mobility. Bruno Retailleau had already proposed in the spring to eliminate the CEE applied to electricitywith the announced objective of allowing households to save the equivalent of “two monthly bills“. He now wants to extend this elimination to fuels.
No VAT reduction for the LR candidate
Bruno Retailleau, however, refuses to touch VAT on fuels. He notably criticized Marine Le Pen’s proposal, who wants to reduce VAT on energy from 20% to 5.5%. “Beware of barkers!“, launched the president of the Republicans, estimating that this measure would cost”15 billion without a euro of financing in front“.”We don’t have the means to do it“, he added.
THE LR candidate also opposed La France insoumise’s proposal to block the price of gasoline at 1.70 euros per literjudging that such a measure “would lead to a shortage situation“. At the same time, he defends an increase in purchasing power through work, with an exemption from employee and employer contributions from the 36th hour worked. According to his calculation, “30 minutes more every day“would allow an employee to earn”almost two more months“.
Aid for “heavy rollers” could further evolve
Faced with this new outbreak, the government also maintains the possibility of adapting its aid measures. Asked about a possible extension of aid, in particular the compensation intended for low-income households covering many kilometers, Maud Bregeon replied: “we adapt and every two to three months, we extend these measures when necessary.”
The so-called “high rollers” aid, initially set at 50 euros, has been increased to 100 euros. The system is currently open until September 30, 2026. © Magnific
The minister does not rule out a further increase in aid. “I don’t close any doors“, she declared, while once again calling on the “1.5 million” of eligible people who have not yet made their request to do so. The government indicates that nearly three million low-income workers can benefit from this compensation of 100 euros.
There rising prices also provokes protest movements in the most exposed sectors. Several dozen fishermen blocked an oil depot in Fos-sur-Mer, in Bouches-du-Rhône, on Tuesday morning to protest against soaring fuel prices and the deterioration of their working conditions. The blockage comes as the government extended aid in September and October intended for the sectors most affected by the increase in fuel prices, in particular agriculture, fishing and construction.
