Fuel prices in the country have soared despite the government's rebate, with the price of the 95 octane unleaded petrol reaching historic highs. Further increases are expected, experts say.

Fuel prices have recently been through a steep rise in France. The price of the 95 octane unleaded petrol have risen the most, surpassing the 2-euro threshold according to the latest data.

The price of diesel, the most popular fuel in France, increased by 13.3 cents per litre last week, the latest data published by the Ministry of Ecological Transition reveal. The price of unleaded 95 octane E10 petrol has grown even more, by 13.7 cents per litre, surpassing the symbolic price of 2 euros. The rise occurred despite the fact that the French government is helping consumers with a rebate of 18 cents per litre, an article by BFMTV reports. The related decree came into force on 1 April, originally for a period of 4 weeks, but the government extended its effect to 31 July. It may be prolonged by one more month to cover August, President Emmanuel Macron has announced, French daily Le Monde writes.

People are sceptical about future fuel prices and say the government’s price cuts will not help them, TF1 reports. Further hikes are expected; petrol stations may charge up to 110 euros per 50 litres of fuel in July, the experts interviewed by TF1 say.

The graph published by the ecological transition ministry shows that both diesel and unleaded petrol first exceeded the price of 2 euros per litre in March 2022, when diesel cost 2.14 euros and unleaded 95-octane petrol 2.028 euros per litre. Data released by the ministry reveal that the latter has now soared to its all-time high, costing 2.066 euros in the week of 30 May while diesel has remained below 2 euros for the time being, currently costing 1.961 euros. The rise in fuel prices in France is particularly conspicuous compared to prices in September 2021, when unleaded petrol cost 1.543 and diesel 1.429 euros.

In its article, Le Monde points out that

the rise in fuel prices in France has also been affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, and the news of the embargo announced by the European Union has pushed prices further up.

Ballooning inflation seen recently is another unfavourable factor, which the French government intends to mitigate with further measures. The government is set to provide additional subsidies to help the population at the start of the school year, especially those who drive long distances because of their work, Le Monde writes, citing Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne’s announcement.

One of the most popular right-wing politicians, Marine Le Pen, took to Twitter to respond to the spike in fuel prices,writing that the only way to solve the problem was to reduce excise duties on fuels. Her party in parliament will be working to achieve tax cuts, as current prices are unbearable for French people, Le Pen wrote.

2,22€ pour le SP98, 2,02€ pour le gazole : les prix du carburant repassent au dessus de 2€/litre. Il n’y a qu’une seule solution, la baisse des taxes. Nous la défendrons á l’Assemblée nationale. Cette situation n’est plus tenable pour les Français.

— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) June 8, 2022