TotalEnergies Keeps Fuel Price Cap in France as Government Extends Aid for Affected Businesses

TotalEnergies has pledged to maintain its fuel‑price cap across all French forecourts for the duration of the current Middle East conflict, while the French government announced it will extend financial support schemes that shield companies most exposed to rising fuel costs.

The cap, introduced in March 2026 and relaunched in July, fixes petrol at €1.99 per litre and diesel at €2.25 per litre at every TotalEnergies station in mainland France. On 29 August, CEO Patrick Pouyanné told France Inter that the company will keep the protection “as long as the conflict lasts”. He added that the cap cost the company between €250 million and €300 million, though he did not provide a precise figure.

This measure is the only price‑cap intervention by a major oil company worldwide. According to TotalEnergies, the cap has helped it gain market share, rising from about 22 % to 25 % as more drivers choose its pumps. Pouyanné said the scheme has also earned the company goodwill among the French public.

Despite the cap, national pump prices have edged above €2 per litre. Recent data show SP95‑E10 at €2.036, SP98 at €2.131 and diesel at €2.219 per litre across France. The price‑cap has therefore limited the impact of global oil price swings, but it has not eliminated the rise in retail fuel costs.

TotalEnergies reported a net profit of $5.4 billion (about €4.9 billion) in the second quarter of 2026, double the figure for the same period last year. The company’s decision to cap prices is part of its broader strategy to manage the effects of the 2026 Iran‑war fuel crisis, which has disrupted global oil supplies and pushed prices higher.

Separately, the French government confirmed it will extend the aid schemes that were due to expire on 31 August. Energy Minister Maud Bregeon told BFMTV and RMC that firms would not be left without help and that the schemes “will not be suspended”. She said further details on the scale and duration of the extension would be announced in the coming days and that discussions with affected industries were still underway.

Bregeon added that businesses facing the greatest difficulty would still be able to submit applications for help in the weeks ahead, and that the relevant application windows would remain open. The government has not yet specified the amount of additional funding or the exact length of the extension.

The decision to keep the fuel‑price cap and extend aid comes amid ongoing volatility in the global energy market. The Middle East conflict has caused significant disruptions to oil supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, which carries more than 20 % of the world’s oil trade. The resulting price swings have affected fuel prices across Europe, prompting governments to intervene.

In France, the cap and aid extension represent a coordinated response to protect consumers and businesses from the economic fallout of the conflict. While the cap limits retail prices at TotalEnergies stations, the national average fuel price remains above the capped level, reflecting the broader market dynamics.

The French government’s extension of support schemes is expected to provide a safety net for sectors that rely heavily on fuel, such as transport, logistics and agriculture. The exact scope of the support will be clarified once the government releases the detailed plan.

As the conflict continues, TotalEnergies and the French government are maintaining measures that aim to stabilize fuel costs for consumers and businesses alike. The company’s cap remains in place, and the government’s aid schemes will continue beyond the original expiry date, pending final details.

The current situation is that TotalEnergies will keep its fuel‑price cap at €1.99 for petrol and €2.25 for diesel at all French forecourts, while the French government will extend its financial support schemes for businesses affected by rising fuel costs. The next official announcement from the government will clarify the duration and amount of the extended aid.