About 18% of petrol stations across France are facing fuel supply disruptions, the government said on Tuesday, as higher pump prices fuel frustration among drivers and transport operators.
The shortages come as global oil and fuel prices surge amid the sixth week of the U.S.-Israeli-led war with Iran, which has tightened oil delivery supplies worldwide.
Junior Energy Minister Maud Bregeon said the supply issues were caused by internal logistical challenges rather than direct fallout from the conflict.
She added that a price freeze introduced by TotalEnergies had drawn a rush of motorists to its stations, putting pressure on fuel availability.
The company said it would maintain a cap of 1.99 euros per litre for unleaded petrol in April while raising its diesel price cap to 2.25 euros per litre, bringing it closer to competitors’ prices.
To cushion the impact of rising fuel costs, the French government has introduced support measures including more than 70 million euros in subsidies for the transport, farming and fishing sectors.
Additional assistance includes energy bill support for low-income households and loan programmes aimed at helping small businesses cope with higher costs.
Despite the pressure, France has not yet seen protests on the scale of the Yellow Vests movement, which erupted over diesel tax hikes during President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.
However, some truck drivers and motorists staged a roadblock in Nantes on Tuesday to protest rising diesel prices and the strain on businesses.
Industry participants warned that if fuel costs continue to climb, companies in sectors such as construction could face mounting financial pressure and potential job losses in the coming months.