Last week, the price of a liter of diesel increased by six cents on average, exceeding that of a liter of SP98.
It is an indicator scrutinized closely by motorists, and even more closely by the government. After stabilizing at a high level in mid-April, fuel prices started to rise again last week. According to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, last Friday, a liter of diesel thus cost 1.8759 euros on average in France. That is an increase of 6.4 cents in seven days.
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Gasoline also saw its price go up, in a less marked way however: the liter of SP95, SP95-E10 and SP98 all three increased by one penny on average. What mitigate the effect of the discount of fifteen to eighteen cents granted by the executive since April 1 and until July 31 next. These three fuels cost 1.7902 euro, 1.7476 euro and 1.8449 euro, respectively, last Friday. The liter of diesel is therefore more expensive.
How to explain this evolution ? First, the international situation is pushing up the prices of raw materials and processed products, inflating the final bill paid by consumers. War in Ukraine, confinements in China, action by producing countries to increase supply, tension on demand, use of strategic reserves… Uncertainties weigh on the markets. The growing threat of a European embargo targeting Russian oil also played a part, contributing to the rise in the barrel of Brent. For the past two weeks, it has remained above the symbolic one hundred dollar mark, a level 30% higher than that at the end of 2021. The fall in Brent observed over the past ten days is therefore gradual and cautious.
For its part, diesel is particularly under pressure, explaining its current high level: the European Union, on this point, depends heavily on Russia and “the pressure on the spot price of diesel in Europe remains very strong“, notes IFPEN, this Monday. Russian exports are not yet compensated by “the rebalancing of world refining production“, we also read.
Uncertainty about the devices planned for the coming months
For his part, the re-elected executive ensures that he will do everything possible to protect the portfolio of households, while purchasing power remains a sensitive issue, on which the presidential campaign was largely played. Several measures have already been put in place, including the inflation allowance, at the end of 2021, the discount on the invoice, since the beginning of April, and the increase in the scale of the mileage allowance, in January. Emmanuel Macron had nevertheless indicated that he wanted to go further, by more specifically targeting large riders, including people forced to take their car to go to work, and the most fragile households.
This new aidmore meaningful and focused“, According to Bruno Le Maire, should take over from the reinstatement, which will benefit in particular to the French taking their car to go on vacation, in July. “Justice would be that we help more those who will do 100-150 kilometers a day“Advanced the boss of Bercy at the microphone of France Info, Monday morning, adding that he was counting on a vote of these devices”around Julyas soon as the new legislature is in place.
It remains to be seen how the situation and oil prices will develop in the coming weeks. Increased production and strong alternatives to Russia would relieve markets. Conversely, an embargo on Russian oil and petroleum products would provoke a strong reaction from stakeholders. So far, the executive does not plan to extend the discount beyond July 31, favoring the establishment of a new device “more focused“. But, in politics, things are never set in stone.
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