Fuel Shortage: What Are the Alternatives?
This page is translated from the original post "Pénurie de carburants : quelles sont les alternatives ?" in French.
- 11/10/2022 19:36
With your vehicle facing a fuel shortage, why not take the opportunity to test alternatives and apply them long-term to save money?
The fuel shortage has been affecting France intensely for several days. And it’s unlikely to improve soon, as the strike at TotalEnergies is extended this Monday. Currently, nearly 30% of gas stations are out of one of the fuels (SP95, Diesel, etc.), compared to 21% last Saturday. What should you do when no pumps are available nearby and you’re running low on fuel? Here are 5 immediate (and possibly long-term) solutions.
Eco-driving: Save 10 to 15%
You’re not yet on reserve, but like everyone, shortages may threaten if the situation continues. Why not adopt a more relaxed driving style right away? Here are some tips to save fuel (and money):
- Accelerate gently;
- Drive smoothly from cold during the first few kilometers;
- Reduce speed on highways and motorways;
- Avoid harsh braking, or anticipate if traffic isn’t heavy;
- Shift to the appropriate gear to prevent engine over- or under-revving;
- Use cruise control;
- Avoid excessive heating or air conditioning;
- Check tire pressure.
Every little bit helps! And on a hybrid car, maximize electric recovery by decelerating and braking efficiently!
Rent and Drive Electric!
How about trying an electric car to compensate for the fuel shortage? Visit your rental company (a Tesla with Sixt, a Fiat 500 with Avis, or a Dacia Spring at E.Leclerc) to test an electric vehicle, and avoid breakdowns or endless queues at gas stations! If you’re unfamiliar with the technology, this is a great opportunity to discover electric driving. It might even convince you to switch…
Carpooling to Avoid Solo Driving (and Reduce Traffic)
If you’re out of fuel, why not travel with someone else? It can take many forms—colleague, friend, or stranger. Platforms like BlaBlaCar or Covoit’star in Rennes are useful tools for finding routes close to yours, at a relatively low cost. If you own a vehicle and usually drive alone (“auto-soliste”) (and have fuel if it’s a combustion engine), consider offering rides to others and getting paid for it!
Switch to Bicycle or Scooter
If the distance is short enough—just a few kilometers—cycling can be a good alternative. A traditional bike provides some exercise, while an electric bike can cover even ten kilometers effortlessly. No bike on hand? Free-floating rentals are available in large cities, via local networks (like Vélib’ in Paris or Vélo’v in Lyon) or electric vehicles from Lime, Dott, Pony, or similar fleets. Also, electric scooter fleets such as Yego or eDog in Bordeaux, Cityscoot in Paris, etc., might suit you better.
Public Transport Still Available!
In France, we’re fortunate to have a fairly dense network of public transportation. It’s not perfect, we agree, but options do exist. Check if bus, train, or tram routes are available near you, even if it requires a bit of walking.
Finally, if you have no alternative but to travel by your gasoline or diesel car, you can monitor real-time maps on various sites, like the one from Le Monde.
Also read: Fuel Prices: Is Now the Right Time to Switch to E85?
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