The scissor effect is striking.
While the price of a barrel of Brent oil is falling (around 80 dollars, or 74.50 euros), fuel prices at the pump are soaring in France.
The explanation is to be found on the side… of the end of rebates from the State (10 cents per liter) and from TotalEnergies (10 cents also) on January 1, replaced by targeted aid: a check for 100 euros paid to 10 million French people, the most modest, who need their vehicle to go to work.
The weekly average price thermometer, published by the Ministry of Ecological Transition on Monday, released its figures for the first week of the year: the liter of diesel was thus displayed at 1.90 euros on average last week ( + 13.3 cents compared to the previous week), that of the liter of SP95-E10 at 1.83 euros (+ 19.2 cents).
Two significant increases, while prices had stabilized for about a month.
Lower consumption
Admittedly, some motorists have been able, in recent days, to dodge the increase by being far-sighted.
“Overall consumption was lower last week, because many customers had organized themselves by refueling before January 1,” explains Francis Pousse, president of fuel distributors (excluding supermarkets) within the professional union. of Mobilians automobile.
However, it will indeed be necessary to go to the checkout one day or another and the prices of supermarkets are once again becoming particularly attractive in this new context.
“TotalEnergies, by appearing roughly at the same price as mass distribution, had diluted the market, deciphers Francis Pousse.
Now, supermarkets are regaining market share.
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Read alsoFuel compensation: aid of 100 euros may be requested from January 16
If some of you have seen, in the Paris region and in the provinces, stations with empty SP95-E10 tanks, don't worry, there is no shortage.
“We have the products”, we assure the professionals.
It was, punctually, "logistical difficulties".
Still, these new rates are choking the association 40 million motorists.
“The government thinks that the French have become accustomed to pricing around 2 euros for diesel and gasoline, fulminates Pierre Chasseray, the association's general delegate.
But it's wrong !
The reality is that motorists are crushed by fuel prices and they will not survive 2023 without tax assistance.
Remember 2019 by the way
(the year of the Yellow Vests movement, started in the fall)
: pension reform and fuel around 2 euros do not mix well.
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E85 superethanol even crosses the 1 euro mark
Another noteworthy fact at the start of the year, superethanol E85, the self-proclaimed “purchasing power” fuel, is making a remarkable push above the symbolic bar of 1 euro per litre.
Recorded between 0.8 cents/litre and 0.9 cents/litre almost all of the past year, here it is, in January 2023, at 1.08 euro/l across the country.
“And even, in some stations, around 1.20 euro/l”, observes Pierre Chasseray.
Read alsoWho are the motorists who drive on E85 superethanol, the cheap fuel?
Enough to wince the 100,000 motorists who have equipped themselves with a conversion box in 2022, or the 30,000 buyers of an original superethanol car.
“The cost per liter remains attractive, but, undeniably, those who have already equipped themselves will lose money compared to last year”, deplores 40 million motorists.
In question ?
The prices of gas, necessary for the manufacture of superethanol E85, negotiated - for a year - at the height of the Ukrainian crisis.
"Furthermore, the share of gasoline in the E85 mixture is greater in winter, to help the engine when it's cold, and this increases the overall cost," underlines an oil company.
The price at the pump of superethanol should thus drop on sunny days, a priori by around ten cents.
