Fuel sales in France have dropped by 7% since the start of the year, according to Dominique Schelcher, head of Coopérative U, a major fuel distributor. Schelcher attributes this decline to what he calls "unfair competition" from Totalenergies, a large French energy company that has been capping fuel prices for several months. This practice has drawn criticism from other fuel distributors, who are expected to raise the issue during a meeting scheduled for Wednesday at the French Ministry of Economy in Bercy. According to Schelcher, Totalenergies has a unique advantage because it controls the entire fuel supply chain, from oil extraction and refining to retail sales. This vertical integration allows it to manage its prices more effectively than smaller distributors, who often have to absorb price fluctuations. The price capping by Totalenergies has resulted in significant savings for consumers—2.05 euros for a 50-liter diesel tank and 6.55 euros on SP95-E10 compared to current market prices. This has led to increased demand at Totalenergies stations, sometimes causing fuel shortages, especially in the Île-de-France region. Coopérative U has experienced an "unprecedented" 7% drop in fuel sales, according to Schelcher, who blames the decline on both Totalenergies' pricing strategy and changes in consumer behavior, such as fewer road trips and vacations this summer. He noted that profit margins for fuel distributors have reached historic lows, making it difficult for them to compete with the lower prices offered by Totalenergies. Schelcher warned that as long as there are disruptions in the global supply chain and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, fuel prices are likely to remain high. He explained that distributors cannot further reduce their already minimal margins to lower prices, as consumers are highly price-sensitive and tend to choose the cheapest option available. If a distributor is not among the lowest-priced, customers tend to switch, which is not in the best interest of the business. Schelcher also pointed out that refiners, who have seen their profit margins rise, could potentially lower prices, but many of these companies are based abroad. He suggested that the French government should implement the existing fuel price support measures and possibly enhance them. However, he opposed a broad price cap, arguing that it could be costly for public finances. Unlike some of his peers, Schelcher believes that a generalized price cap might not be the most effective or sustainable solution.