Fuel consumption drops sharply in France

In 2026, France experienced a notable decrease in fuel consumption, leading to empty gas stations and disrupted budgets for drivers. The drop in gasoline and diesel use has had more severe consequences than expected, with refueling becoming less frequent and lines at stations shorter than usual.

Road fuel deliveries decline significantly

According to the Professional Committee of Petroleum (CPDP), road fuel deliveries in September 2026 totaled 3.850 million cubic meters, a 3.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the first nine months of 2026, the decline reached 4.8%, marking six consecutive months of falling fuel deliveries.

Anticipatory rush before price increase

In March 2026, before a new price increase, France saw a surge in fuel consumption, with 3.865 million cubic meters delivered, a 1.1% rise compared to March 2025. Bank card payments spiked to over 6 million transactions per day on 2 and 3 March, showing that many drivers had filled up in anticipation of higher prices.

Diesel consumption plummets while gasoline rises

Behind the overall decline in fuel consumption, two opposing trends are evident. In September 2026, diesel deliveries fell by 7% compared to the previous year, while gasoline deliveries increased by 2.3%. Over the first nine months of 2026, diesel consumption dropped by 7.5%, while gasoline rose slightly by 0.6%.

Diesel becomes more expensive and less popular

Diesel has become the fuel of choice for fewer drivers due to its significantly higher price increase compared to gasoline. Over a year, diesel prices rose by about 41%, compared to 24% for gasoline. This shift has made diesel less attractive for drivers, especially those who use it frequently for work or long distances.

Fuel price sensitivity affects driving habits

Studies show that fuel demand drops in response to price increases, with a 1% rise in prices leading to a 0.2 to 0.4% decrease in consumption. This effect is more pronounced for small users and non-essential trips, leading to canceled weekends, fewer family visits, and reduced leisure travel, while commuting and work-related trips remain unchanged.

Government faces revenue losses from falling fuel sales

The decline in fuel consumption has impacted government revenues, as taxes on fuels are a major source of income. With taxes of about 0.61 euros per liter on diesel and 0.67 euros on gasoline, the drop in sales has led to an estimated loss of 1.5 to 1.7 billion euros annually. The government has responded by expanding aid and releasing strategic diesel reserves to ease the burden on drivers.

Efforts to stabilize diesel prices and usage

To cushion the impact on drivers, the government has activated a plan to release 1.6 million cubic meters of strategic diesel reserves, aiming to lower prices by 12 to 18 cents per liter. This move is intended to support diesel users, even as the share of diesel in road fuels continues to decline due to the rise of gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles.