Since the beginning of the year, gasoline prices have been on the rise. According to Le Figaro, over the year 2023, the E10 increased by 2.7%, the SP-95 by 2.4% and the SP-98 by 2.2%. However, this year has not meant an increase for everyone: diesel has gone from being the most expensive fuel to being the most advantageous. Indeed, its value has fallen by 11.1% in 2023.
The week of May 29, 2023, gasoline and diesel prices increased slightly compared to the previous week, according to calculations by Fig Data, carried out via public data from the Ministry of Energy Transition. Thus, the SP-98 has gained more than a penny and is now at 1.9411 euros per litre. The SP-95, with an increase of 1.2 cents, is at 1.8937 euros. The E10 reached 1.8617 euros, with an increase of 1.6 cents. For its part, lediesel took 0.4 cents compared to last week and is at 1.6984 euros.
Since this year, the government has set up a “fuel allowance” in order to limit the effects of rising fuel costs and allow the French to preserve their purchasing power. According to economie.gouv, this allowance of 100 euros was intended for the 10 million most modest workers who use their vehicle (car or two-wheeler) to go to work. However, this aid had to be applied for before March 2023. If you were unable to apply for it or were not eligible, it is still possible to save money at the same time as you fill up. What if refueling at night made it possible to pay less?
According to AutoPlus, fuel is denser and evaporates less when it’s cooler. As the fuel is stored in large tanks in the basement, they are subject to large temperature variations depending on the time of day. However, if the fuel is cold and dense, “the gun delivers more product, for the same price”. It would then be necessary to get into the habit of refueling at night or early in the morning, so as to save a few cents at the pump. However, this is not the only reason why it is better to refuel at night.
Interviewed by TF1, Raphaël Bartlomé, legal manager of the UFC-Que Choisir association, said: “Be aware that prices are updated in the morning, so if they are on the rise, it is better to fill up at night. …”. If for the legal representative of the consumer association, “it has nothing to do with the density of gasoline”, it is in any case better to fill up in the evening or at night, in order to avoid the morning rise in the cost of gasoline. However, keep an eye on the price situation: if there is a drop, it might be more advantageous to wait for the price update in the morning.
