TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné confirmed on Saturday 29 August, speaking on France Inter, that the group will keep its fuel price cap in place for as long as the conflict in the Middle East continues. The stance stands out against the broader upward trend seen across the French fuel market.
A cap of €1.99/L on petrol, €2.25/L on diesel
Reinstated on 22 July 2026 after a spring lull, the scheme sets a ceiling of €1.99/L for petrol and €2.25/L for diesel across all TotalEnergies stations in mainland France. The group also extends it to its motorway stations during peak summer travel weekends, and offers a preferential €1.99/L cap year-round to customers enrolled in its "fuel advantage" programme.
"As long as the conflict lasts, we will keep providing this protection," the CEO reaffirmed, claiming to be the only oil major in the world applying such a measure.
A €250 million cost, against a tense market
The cap currently represents an estimated cost of over €250 million for TotalEnergies, even as the group doubled its net profit in the second quarter to $5.4 billion. According to our price barometer, the market remains under pressure: the Fuel Tension Index stands at 29/100 as of 1 September 2026, with particularly marked pressure on petrol (index of 27) compared with diesel (index of 6).
Today's nationwide averages across all brands illustrate the scale of the increase since the conflict began: diesel stands at €2.210/L (+34.1% year-on-year) and E10 petrol at €2.044/L (+19.3% year-on-year). This comparison reveals an important nuance: for petrol, TotalEnergies' €1.99/L cap remains below the national average and therefore still plays a protective role for drivers. For diesel, however, the national average (€2.210/L) has now dropped back below the €2.25/L cap, which mechanically limits the scheme's effect on that fuel. Brent crude prices are worth watching closely in the coming weeks to anticipate what comes next.
A measure conditional on no windfall tax
Asked about the possibility of an exceptional windfall tax on energy companies, called for by several European countries, Patrick Pouyanné avoided a direct answer while drawing a clear red line: should such a tax be introduced, TotalEnergies would simply abandon the price cap altogether. The CEO also indicated that his group would still pay the exceptional contribution set out under the finance law.
Frequently asked questions
Does the TotalEnergies price cap apply to all of the group's stations?
Yes, it applies to all TotalEnergies service stations in mainland France, with additional support on the motorway network during peak summer travel weekends.
How long will the price cap last?
TotalEnergies has not set an end date: the group's CEO has said the measure will remain in place for as long as the conflict in the Middle East continues, unless a windfall tax on energy companies is introduced.