Hundreds of French Gas Stations Run Dry Amid Price-Cap Panic Buying

Amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, global fuel supplies have tightened, prompting a surge in consumer demand at French gas stations following the implementation of a fuel price cap by the French government and TotalEnergies. France's Ministry of Energy reported that approximately 900 service stations nationwide have run out of at least one type of fuel, with around 700 of these belonging to TotalEnergies. The government stressed that the current disruptions stem from logistical pressures rather than an overall domestic fuel shortage. TotalEnergies had announced in mid-March that it would extend its price cap on gasoline and diesel through April 7, a move that triggered a sharp increase in customer traffic and led to localized shortages, particularly of diesel. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon noted that fewer than 10% of fuel stations are affected, primarily due to panic buying.