On the Rosny-Sud motorway service area (Yvelines), just over 50 kilometers from the capital, on the A13, the pump is almost deserted. In the Normandy-Paris direction this weekday afternoon, it’s not Mr. Everyman who comes to fill up or top up. But rather professionals, who fill the tank of their company car.
In this service station, the price of a liter of diesel exceeds 2.20 euros and that of unleaded 98 reaches 2.30 euros. For Bernard, 60, this is not a problem. At the wheel of his Renault Captur, he does “not pay much attention to the price. It’s the company that pays,” he explains.
Director of risk management activities, he estimates that he travels about 50,000 kilometers a year. A situation that pushes him to fill up twice a week. Despite the very high prices, the one who has been working in his company since 2010 claims not to have changed his habits. Coming from Cherbourg (Manche), he stopped at this motorway rest area to refuel before going to Orly airport (Val-de-Marne).
“The liter can reach 4 euros, it’s the same for me”
The payment card provided by his company allows him to advance no toll, parking or fuel costs. His wife owning an electric vehicle, the couple is fortunate to not pay any personal fuel costs. However, Bernard is aware of the rise in diesel and unleaded prices. “We help our children, who are students, he admits. For people who have a personal vehicle, it’s complicated. »
On the motorway service area opposite, in the Paris-Normandy direction, prices are a little cheaper but the situation is the same. For David too, “it’s the company that pays”. At the wheel of his company vehicle, this 50-year-old mechanic “travels throughout France. Supported by his company, his fuel costs amount to 100 euros per week.
To fill up his tank, he doesn’t bother: “I’m not going to do twenty stations to save twenty cents. “At the wheel of his Peugeot 2008, another motorist, also a professional, adds: “A liter can reach 4 euros, it’s the same for me. »
“It is a privilege that we are granted, we must not abuse it”
An opinion that Xavier does not share. This 51-year-old sales manager assures us that he is “be careful, even if it is the company that takes care of everything”. For him, “it is a privilege that we are granted, we must not abuse it. There is mutual trust. At the wheel of his Toyota, he travels nearly 30,000 kilometers a year and fills up once a week.
Coming from Yvelines, Xavier returns to Normandy. This Wednesday, he stopped at the motorway service area “in anticipation”, because he had “not much choice” so as not to run out of fuel. An exceptional case according to him: “Usually, I still make sure to go to the cheapest stations. »