French fuel prices reach records above 2.12 euros as government rejects broad tax cuts

Record pump prices and market pressures

On the morning of 9 September 2026, mainland French fuel prices surpassed previous peaks as ongoing tensions in the Middle East disrupted international petroleum markets. The price of SP95-E10 petrol reached an average of 2.124 euros per litre, exceeding the prior record of 2.117 euros recorded in June 2022. Diesel climbed to an average of 2.292 euros per litre, with more than 100 filling stations pricing diesel above 2.50 euros and a peak of 2.79 euros recorded in Verrières-en-Anjou. These figures represent price increases of 23.5% for petrol and 33.3% for diesel compared to late February. Margins for refiners expanded by 294% between 27 February and 4 September, with crude oil cost increases accounting for 26 cents of the 38-cent rise in SP95-E10 over that period.

Government rules out broad tax relief

Following a meeting with fuel distributors at the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Wednesday, officials confirmed that the French government remains opposed to general tax cuts at the pump. The ministry stated that the condition of public finances prevents broad fiscal reductions, maintaining instead a targeted support package worth 1.4 billion euros for exposed households and businesses. Officials also rejected general price ceilings, arguing that mandatory caps risk creating fuel shortages while confirming that national supplies remain stable. French fuel tax revenues at the end of August stood 9 million euros higher than at the end of August 2025, as 304 million euros in additional net VAT offset a 295 million euro decline in collected excise duties after fuel consumption fell by 5.5%.

There is a threshold where the public authorities will be obliged, if it lasted, if it were too strong, to reduce fuel taxation a little.

Retailer caps and independent station strains

Commercial responses to the price surge have divided fuel distributors across France. TotalEnergies maintains voluntary price caps of 1.99 euros per litre for unleaded petrol and 2.25 euros for diesel across its network. Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanné confirmed that this policy remains tied to the duration of the conflict in the Middle East and the absence of windfall taxation.

As long as the conflict lasts, we will continue to provide this protection. You see, we relaxed in July and when the conflict restarted, we immediately reinstated the caps. If somewhere there is a tax, we will draw the lessons and there will never be caps at TotalEnergies again.

Independent operators have stated they cannot replicate these price limits. Small filling stations operate on net profit margins between 1 and 3 cents per litre, leaving them unable to absorb wholesale costs without selling at a loss.

Consumer habits and shifting thresholds

Higher fuel costs have prompted significant changes in household spending patterns across France. An Elabe survey conducted for BFMTV revealed that drivers now view 1.84 euros per litre as the threshold beyond which fuel becomes unacceptably expensive, a decline of 9 centimes compared to April. Political alignments reflect different tolerance levels, ranging from 1.77 euros among Rassemblement National supporters to 1.97 euros among Les Républicains voters. Approximately 88% of French motorists report modifying their driving routines, including 51% who have canceled specific journeys and 50% who actively compare filling station prices.