Fuel prices are rising across France. Yet, not all regions are affected in the same way. Why is fuel more expensive in some places?
Why the gaps exist
Getting to the pump is becoming increasingly tricky for drivers in France. Prices keep climbing and are hitting new records. According to the latest estimates and official government data, diesel costs €2.404 per liter, while unleaded SP95 is €2.167 per liter and SP98 €2.270 per liter.
But these figures are national averages. That means prices can be lower or higher depending on where you are located. In this game, the corners of France with the highest prices are the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, with an average of €2.445 per liter, but also the Grand Est region with an average of €2.436 per liter and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with an average of €2.434 per liter.
Conversely, some regions fare slightly better than others. This is the case for Corsica, at €2.304 per liter, or Nouvelle-Aquitaine with €2.396 per liter. This gap may raise questions among motorists. And yet, it’s the result of several factors.
The role of transport logistics
The first factor that influences a fuel’s price concerns the size of the stations. These stations themselves set the prices displayed at the pump. If a region has a greater number of large and medium outlets, prices tend to be cheaper. This density of stations also pushes prices down through supply and demand. Conversely, a highway service station with little or no competition tends to push prices higher.
But that’s not all. In fact, the logistics of delivery is a key point in pricing fuels by region. A shipment via a pipeline will cost less than a shipment by sea. The same goes for delivery by sea versus by trucks. This summer, the Grand Est faced historically low water levels on the Rhine. As a result, barges were less loaded and more fuel moved by land routes. That helps explain the extra cost. At the same time, Brittany has no highways and therefore no tolls. Consequently, bringing fuel into this region is cheaper.
In any case, no matter where you are in France, pump prices keep rising. It’s a situation that looks set to last for a while.
