Sybarite
Well-known member
Diesel fuel in France generally ranges from about €0.74/litre to about €0.90 /litre. Leisure boating is subject to the full taxes that private road traffic users have to pay (notably the TIPP - taxe intérieur sur les produits pétroliers - which is moderated to attenuate the impact of strong price fluctuations in raw fuel prices) Diesel is generally about 20-25% cheaper than petrol.
(Aside - this means cheaper transport costs throughout the whole supply chain and explains why there are so many good continental diesel cars. Never could understand why the UK didn't adopt a similar policy.)
The cheapest fuel is found in hypermarkets and the most expensive in city centres, marinas and on autoroute garages. There is a certain justification for the higher charges: special installations, more difficult access for staff etc.
With my 18 hp diesel I am not unduly bothered because in a season I would probably not use more than I would in a week in the car and the marginal price difference does not warrant taking any special measures. For large motor boat users, either stock up before you go or negotiate with a taxi for collecting from the nearest hyper. Come to think about it, if you have a large motor boat you're probably not bothered by little things like price differences anyway...
Driving to the UK from France I always fill up at the Chunnel terminal before leaving. They also have automatic pumps at which you can use UK credit cards.
(Aside - this means cheaper transport costs throughout the whole supply chain and explains why there are so many good continental diesel cars. Never could understand why the UK didn't adopt a similar policy.)
The cheapest fuel is found in hypermarkets and the most expensive in city centres, marinas and on autoroute garages. There is a certain justification for the higher charges: special installations, more difficult access for staff etc.
With my 18 hp diesel I am not unduly bothered because in a season I would probably not use more than I would in a week in the car and the marginal price difference does not warrant taking any special measures. For large motor boat users, either stock up before you go or negotiate with a taxi for collecting from the nearest hyper. Come to think about it, if you have a large motor boat you're probably not bothered by little things like price differences anyway...
Driving to the UK from France I always fill up at the Chunnel terminal before leaving. They also have automatic pumps at which you can use UK credit cards.