Fuel shortages and high prices worry French motorists

Fuel shortages and rising prices left motorists across parts of France anxious on Tuesday (April 7), with several petrol stations showing empty pumps and signalling a lack of supply.

At a TotalEnergies station in Champigny-sur-Marne, near Paris, access was blocked and fuel nozzles were covered with signs reading “out of order.” Electronic price boards showed all fuel grades set at 9.999 euros, a convention used by French retailers to indicate products are unavailable.

The station stood empty as traffic passed by, while drivers sought alternatives across the road at a nearby Esso outlet. Human resources consultant Marcel Makondo said higher prices and limited availability were weighing on household budgets.

“I'd say it's a bit like how all French people feel, you know, no fuel, there are shortages, prices have gone up,” Makondo said. “It's impacting the budget, you know. So it's not easy right now.”

Makondo said he was unable to find fuel at any TotalEnergies station in the area.

Queues formed at the Esso station opposite where fuel remained available, though at higher prices.

Construction worker Ramzy Gargouche said the situation was putting financial strain on his business.

“Diesel shortage, we're struggling to make ends meet, our customers aren't paying us,” Gargouche said. “Frankly, we don't know what's going to happen. It's too hard, really, it's too hard. We're suffering.”

Delivery worker Brahim Bourad said rising fuel costs were especially difficult for transport companies, adding that “the situation is truly catastrophic.”

Similar scenes were visible elsewhere in the country. In Les Sorinieres near the western French city of Nantes, a TotalEnergies station showed all fuel grades unavailable, while in the northern city of Lille, motorists refuelled at an Esso station where only diesel remained on sale.

The government has said roughly 18% of petrol stations in France are currently affected by supply shortages, citing internal logistical issues, as drivers continue to contend with elevated prices at the pump.

Production: Ardee Napolitano, Stephane Mahe, Lucien Libert