In the middle of the summer, gasoline prices are rising sharply. Here are some tips to lower the score.
Prices at the pump are again close to the heights in the height of the summer season. Last week, diesel, the most consumed fuel in France, increased by 6.7 euro cents with an average price per liter of 1.81 euro. Significant increase also for SP95-E10, up 2.8 cents per litre, over one week, to 1.9 euros on average.
To drive more serenely, here are some tips that will allow you to spend less on fuel.
First tip: anticipate your stop at the pump by finding the cheapest station in the area on the internet in which you will have to refuel. The government site prix-carburants.gouv.fr publishes the current prices of the major brands (which are required to communicate them). Advantage: data is updated very regularly and the site offers a search on a route, with a starting point and an ending point. Disadvantage: it is not easy to navigate through the proposed map to find the best offer in a sector if only the name of a small town has been indicated. The Carbu.com site also allows you to check fuel prices throughout the territory and locate the cheapest stations.
Second tip: don’t stay on the highway to fill up. All you have to do is take an exit, drive 3 or 4 kilometers to find a service station with prices lower than those on the main roads. Generally, the pumps of large surfaces offer more attractive prices. Prefer automated stations, without staff, their operating costs are lower.
The only notable exception to the advice no full on the motorway: the motorway company APRR has launched its fulli service stations. They display prices lower by 10 to 15 euro cents per liter compared to other motorway stations and are close to the prices charged by large retailers, according to the brand. There are now seven fulli stations: St-Ambreuil area on the A6 between Tournus and Chalon sur Sane in the Lyon-Paris direction, Gevrey-Ouest area on the A31 south of Dijon in the Dijon-Beaune direction, Jonchets La Grande-Paroisse rest area, Jonchets Les Récompenses rest area on the A5 between Melun and Montereau, Bourbonnais station on the A79 in the Allier department
Also be aware of promotions. The fuel will once again be sold at quoted price in Leclerc stations during the weekend of August 11, 12 and 13. For its part, TotalEnergies has let it be known that it is freezing the prices of SP95-E10 and diesel at a maximum of 1.99 euros until the end of the year.
Another way to save your wallet: adapt your driving behavior to consume less fuel.
- Switch off the engine in traffic jams or when stopping (the start and stop mode has been developed for this: use it if your vehicle has one).
- Restrict the use of air conditioning when possible (according to Ademe, the use of air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by 1% to 7% depending on the climate, the vehicle and the intensity of use).
- Adopt a flexible driving style without untimely acceleration or braking (using cruise control can help you do this).
- Remember to check the inflation of your tires (an under-inflation of 0.5 bars can lead to overconsumption of 2.4%).
- Prefer a trailer or a bicycle rack at the rear of the vehicle rather than roof equipment, which can lead to a 10% to 20% increase in fuel consumption…
If you are a professional, be aware that service station networks offer cards offering a discount on fuel expenses. For individuals, on the other hand, the brands’ loyalty programs never offer reduced prices on petrol or diesel, only points allowing them to acquire gifts or promotions on catering products, for example.