War in the Middle East: fuel consumption in France falls by 14% in May

Fuel consumption in France decreased by 14% from May 1 to 20 compared to the same period last year due to the increase in their costs caused by the war in the Middle East, announced this Friday morning the Minister of the Economy Roland Lescure on Sud Radio.

“The French drive a little less, they carpool, maybe they telework a little more,” added Roland Lescure, whose government announced new targeted aid on Thursday to deal with the rise in fuel prices, to the tune of 710 million euros.

Fuel consumption in France had already decreased by 11% in April, the government had previously announced. Since the start of the war, prices at the pump have increased and a liter of unleaded or diesel peaks at more than 2.10 euros per liter.

Public Accounts Minister David Amiel indicated on Thursday that tax revenues linked to fuels had only represented 10 million euros in additional revenue between March 1 and May 20, the rise in prices having been partially offset by a drop in consumption.

Eager to “change scale” without abandoning “anyone”, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and ten of his ministers detailed Thursday evening during a press conference a new package of “support for activity” measures, with the same “philosophy” of aid to the most affected sectors without taking too much public funds.

Sectoral aid for farmers, transport, fishing and construction will be extended until the summer. Companies are invited to pay an increased fuel bonus, exempt from social security contributions, to their employees. Among the most vulnerable, home helpers, who use their cars a lot, and certain civil servants, will see their mileage allowances increased. The aid for heavy riders of 50 euros will be doubled to 100 euros. And taxis who want to go electric will receive aid in the fall.

“We will focus on the most vulnerable. This does not mean that it does not cost everyone, but there are people today who can get through the crisis and others for whom it is very difficult,” explained Roland Lescure this morning.

Asked about the possibility of lowering taxes on fuel, as requested by some of the political opposition, Roland Lescure reiterated his opposition to the idea of ​​“one-size-fits-all aid which concerns everyone”, knowing that the cost of the war would “probably be above” 6 billion at the end of June.