Archive · 20 Sep 2026
France Fuel Shortages Worsen as Diesel Hits Record
France is having trouble keeping some fuel stations supplied.
About one out of every nine stations is officially reported to have a shortage.
Diesel has also reached a record price.
However, the real number of struggling stations may be higher.
The government counts a station as having a petrol shortage only when every petrol grade it sells is gone.
For example, a station without SP95 may not be counted if it still has SP98 or SP95-E10.
This means some stations may be having problems even though they are left out of the official total.
The report does not provide a specific alternative estimate.
About 11% of France’s fuel stations are officially affected by shortages.
The reported crisis includes shortages at roughly one in nine stations.
Diesel prices have reached a record level.
The official figure may understate the scale of the disruption.
Stations are counted as short only when all petrol grades they sell are unavailable.
- Who
- French fuel stations, motorists, and the government’s reporting system.
- What
- Fuel shortages are affecting officially reported stations, while diesel has reached a record price.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The official shortage count may be understated because stations are counted only when all petrol grades they sell are unavailable.
Official Count
Criticism of Count
How widespread are shortages?
Official Count
The government’s figure puts shortages at 11% of fuel stations.
Criticism of Count
The reported figure may understate the disruption because stations with shortages of some petrol grades are excluded if another grade remains available.
- Official shortage rate
- 11% of fuel stations
- Approximate share
- About one in nine stations
- Fuel at record level
- Diesel
- Counting rule
- A station is counted as short only if it has completely run out of every petrol grade it sells.
- Potential data issue
- A station lacking SP95 but still selling SP98 or SP95-E10 is not counted as struggling.