Panic buying drains French gas stations

Hundreds of sites have run dry across the country after price caps triggered a surge in demand amid Middle East war disruptions.

Fuel shortages have spread across France after drivers rushed to fill their tanks following the introduction of price caps, straining supplies at hundreds of stations, according to the Energy Ministry and media reports.

Around 900 stations have run out of at least one type of fuel, including around 700 operated by energy major TotalEnergies, the Energy Ministry said on Wednesday, blaming logistical issues rather than a national supply shortage.

Other estimates suggest that up to 1,600 sites may have experienced temporary shortages amid surging fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Diesel prices in France reached record highs of around €2.25 ($2.45) per liter.

The US-Israeli war against Iran has triggered a global energy shock, sending oil prices surging and pushing fuel costs higher for consumers worldwide. The conflict has effectively choked flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for around a fifth of global oil.

On Tuesday, TotalEnergies extended its cap on gasoline and diesel prices at stations across mainland France until April 7, as demand surged following the measure. The company said traffic across its network increased sharply since mid-March, warning of “localized supply tensions,” particularly for diesel.

French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told TF1 TV that less than 10% of stations were affected.

She said, “there is no risk of a supply shortage at this time,” adding that France still holds around 100 million barrels in strategic reserves. “We still have some leeway and will respond as necessary to occasional supply difficulties.”

Rising energy costs are feeding into the broader economy. French inflation accelerated to 1.9% in March, the fastest since August 2024, with energy prices jumping 7.3% after more than a year of decreases, data from statistics office Insee shows.

Shell CEO Wael Sawan warned last week that Europe could face fuel shortages as damage to Gulf energy facilities from the Iran war disrupts supplies, with jet fuel already affected and diesel likely next, followed by gasoline ahead of the summer driving season.

The crisis has also revived debate in the EU over energy sourcing. Before 2022, Russia supplied around a quarter of the bloc’s oil imports, but the EU has since sharply reduced purchases and plans a full phase-out by 2027.