FUEL DISCOUNT OF 18 CENTIMES. This Friday, April 1 is marked by the start of the 18-cent discount on a liter of fuel. Why did it finally go from 15 to 18 cents? How does this fuel boost work? We tell you everything!
[Mis à jour le 1er avril 2022 à 16h37] It’s not April Fools, this Friday April 1 is synonymous with good news for motorists with the entry into force of the promised discount on the liter of fuel: 15 cents/litre of fuel, which finally became 18 cents in mainland France once the taxes have been calculated. 18 cents per litre, this represents a saving of almost 11 euros on a full tank of 60 litres, enough to lower the total price without however falling below the 100 euro mark for a full tank of unleaded 95 E10.
However, some gas stations will offer additional discounts at the pump. This is the case of TotalEnergies, which promises an additional 10 cents on fuel, thus increasing the discount to 28 cents/litre. On the other hand, all stations in France will probably not be ready from this Friday, April 1, 2022 and the discount will only be applied in the coming days. This week, the French Federation of fuels had indeed alerted of a possible delay in certain points of sale. Small stations, which may not have renewed their stock this week, could continue to apply the old tariff and not pass on this discount immediately. They will do it on their next stocks.
The reason stems from the mechanism of the device which is in fact a government subsidy on crude oil. Then charge refiners to pass it on to the gasoline sold to distributors. A small delay could therefore be noticed in certain service stations which, conversely, will benefit from low prices for a few more days after the end of the system, scheduled for July 31. As a reminder, this aid in the form of a “fuel discount” was detailed on March 16 by Prime Minister Jean Castex during a press conference. Jean Castex explained that this should cost the state 2 billion euros. However, the Prime Minister called on distributors and oil companies to make “an additional gesture” in order to reduce the bill. Here is what we already know about this kind of “fuel bonus” which will be applied at the gas pump on Friday.
The discount will be made automatically at the time of payment, at the cash desk or by credit card at the pump. Contrary to what has been announced, the price displayed at the pump will ultimately be the one you will ultimately pay. There will therefore be no calculation to be made or discount to be requested from the pump. “It is true that Matignon initially wanted this to appear on the receipt, explains the Prime Minister’s entourage to Le Parisien. But that was not possible.” However, this will make the operation more readable and simple for the consumer. Will all fuels be affected? Yes, Jean Castex had specified in mid-March. E85, liquefied natural gas and LPG will be affected. This boost, valid each time you go to the gas station, will come into effect this Friday, April 1. Here is the device summarized in three points:
- This discount measure of 15 cents/litre of fuel (18 cents in mainland France) will be valid on all fuels, even E85 at the already lower price. If you drive on diesel with your diesel vehicle, you will therefore be just as concerned as if you drive on unleaded petrol.
- The measure took effect on Friday April 1, 2022 and will be valid until July 31.
- The discount will be immediate for the motorist. The price after discount will finally be displayed directly at the pump and via the totem panels at the entrance, contrary to what was originally announced.
Jean Castex explained that this should cost the state 2 billion euros. However, the Prime Minister called on distributors and oil companies to make “an additional gesture” in order to reduce the bill. Here is what we already know about this kind of “fuel bonus” which will be applied at the gas pump on Friday.
Who can benefit from the discount of 18 centimes per liter of fuel?
Everyone, whether you have a store loyalty card or not. This measure, which will cost the state around 2 billion euros, concerns households as well as businesses and will be “valid on all fuels”, said the Prime Minister in an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien. Thus, you will be able to benefit from the reduction of 18 cents per liter of gasoline whatever your status: are concerned “farmers, craftsmen, construction, taxis, truck drivers, everyone… Fishermen too”, explained John Castex. Arbitrations were then still in progress and Jean Castex finally unveiled specific aid for fishermen: 35 cents per liter of diesel from March 17 and until the end of July.
What savings on a full tank does this discount of 18 cents per liter of fuel represent?
According to Jean Castex, the economy at the pump will not be invisible. The Prime Minister had given an example during the presentation of the device: that of a full tank of 60 liters of fuel, i.e. a tank of a good-sized car (a city car displays a tank of 45 to 50 liters) “You save 9 euros” for a full 60 liters, he said in the columns of Parisian. Since then, the device has evolved to finally reach 18 euro cents per liter of fuel, a saving of up to 11 euros per tank. With a price of around 2 euros per liter, a full tank would thus go from 120 euros to around 109 euros.
When does the 18 cents discount on petrol start?
The fuel discount was put in place from Friday April 1, 2022 and for four months, Jean Castex had announced, i.e. until July 31, 2022.