Four-year low at the pump, a boon for French people on car holidays

Good news for motorists. Car journeys should be cheaper this summer. While the roads will be extremely busy this weekend with the return of July holidaymakers and the departure of August holidaymakers, two major retailers have decided to conduct a cost-price fuel campaign. 711 E.Leclerc service stations, as well as 807 in the U network, are participating in the campaign from Friday, August 1st to Saturday, August 2nd. These two major retail brands will sell their fuel, whether gasoline or diesel, without a markup.

These promotions come at a time when fuel prices are also at their lowest in four years. In July, a liter of diesel cost €1.62 and that of unleaded 95 €1.66 on average, according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition's website. That's 8 and 13 cents less per liter, respectively, compared to the same time last year. That's €4 and €6.60 less for a 50-liter tank.

The drop at the pump is explained by the slow but steady decline in the price of North Sea Brent and US WTI crude . Brent crude stood at around $71 a barrel on August 1, down 10% from $79 the same day last year and $86 in 2023. WTI crude stood at around $69, compared to $74 in 2024 and $79 two years ago.

A drop caused by various economic factors. Markets remain concerned about a deterioration in global economic activity that is unfavorable to energy demand. A feeling that has been exacerbated by the trade war launched by Donald Trump in early April . Black gold is not affected by these tariffs imposed by the American president, but the prospects of a slowdown in global trade , and consequently in fuel consumption, have caused a sharp drop in the price of a barrel in 2025.

The euro also strengthened against the dollar, rising from 1.02 in January to 1.16 currently. Since oil is purchased in dollars and gasoline is sold in euros, this exchange rate movement automatically lowers fuel prices.

It's also a consequence of the decision earlier this year by OPEC+ oil-exporting countries, seeking new market share, to increase their production by barrels. As a result, they are increasing supply while demand is slowly growing. And these low prices could last. On July 5, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and six other OPEC+ members surprised observers by agreeing to increase their production by another 548,000 barrels per day for the month of August.

It's not just drivers of combustion-engine vehicles who can take advantage of discounts this summer. The French company Electra, which operates charging stations for electric vehicles across France, is allowing its network subscribers to pay 29 cents per kWh for charging their vehicles instead of the average 54 cents until the end of the summer. A sort of fuel-at-cost 2.0 operation.