Motorists in Montpellier are feeling the squeeze as fuel prices climb sharply, with diesel selling above €2.20 ($2.56) a litre at many local filling stations on Tuesday, as tightening global supply drives up prices across Europe.
Footage shows motorists filling up at a petrol station in the southern French city, where some residents blamed the government for the strain on household budgets.
“They are [the government] silent on this topic. In fact, we don’t hear from them at all and it’s really unacceptable because ultimately, they’re the ones lining their pockets,” one person said.
Others pointed to big business as the main culprit.
“Actually, politicians aren’t the ones in control. It’s big corporations, BP and Exxon and all that, who run the politics – so they need to be taxed internationally,” another motorist said.
Official French fuel-price data showed diesel at €2.25 ($2.63) a litre at several Montpellier stations on Tuesday, while one Intermarche station listed diesel at €2.31 ($2.69) and E10 petrol at €2.06 ($2.39).
Europe’s diesel market is facing tight supplies, with wholesale margins surging following renewed conflict in the Middle East, Russia’s extended export restrictions and reduced global availability.
“We’ve effectively seen about a 30% increase in fuel prices. We have no choice but to drive, after all. As a result, we drive a lot less – I’ll be spending around €100 and mine is just a small car,” a local said.
“What’s the kind of the logic behind working to pay for gas and paying for gas to go to work? In fact, it’s a bit like that. So I think for people, it’s getting worse – it worsens this vicious cycle, that’s for sure,” another resident said.
Global fuel prices surged after the oil price shot up to around $100 per barrel as the US-Iran conflict disrupted supplies crossing the Strait of Hormuz, sending shockwaves across the world.
Source: Viory
