Totalenergies (vormals Total) hat eine Fortsetzung seines Spritpreisdeckels angekündigt. Wie der französische Energiekonzern am Dienstag mitteilte, wolle er über den Jahreswechsel hinaus maximal 1,99 Euro für einen Liter Benzin und Diesel verlangen.
This applies to all types of fuel except for premium products like Excellium, including Diesel B7 and Diesel B10, Super E10, Super E5, and Superethanol E85. Previously, this cap only applied until the end of the year. Totalenergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné had already expressed support for an extension last week. However, this offer does not apply to Totalenergies‘ German gas stations and is limited to approximately 3400 locations in France.
The company is following the urging of France’s Minister of Finance and Economy, Bruno Le Maire. Last week, he called on Totalenergies to make a „gesture“ and explicitly continue the fuel price cap. Currently, the average price of a liter of Super E10 in France is 1.95 euros, while a liter of diesel is 1.92 euros. Depending on the time of day and location, prices at many gas stations in recent weeks have often exceeded 2 euros.
Currently, three out of four gas stations are affected.
Totalenergies, the leading fuel distributor in France with a market share of approximately 25 percent, has kept its promise and charged a maximum of 1.99 euros. Recently, there were talks of a significant loss in revenue amounting to hundreds of millions due to the discount campaign. In the first half of the year, Totalenergies achieved a net profit of around 9 billion euros.
According to company information, the price is currently capped at nearly 2600 gas stations, which is three out of four in the entire country. This measure was introduced in February. Previously, there had already been various discount promotions, including last year’s additional 20 cents per liter of fuel on top of the government’s universal fuel discount of up to 30 cents, also under pressure from the French government.
There have been repeated discussions about its reintroduction, especially from the ranks of the conservative Republicans, given the increased fuel prices. However, Finance and Economy Minister Le Maire is against it. He believes it is not environmentally sensible and also very expensive. The 30-cent discount cost the state around 12 billion euros last year. Instead, starting from January 1st, a „fuel allowance“ of 100 euros has been introduced for approximately ten million low-income citizens.
Source: faz.net