It is not just the price of energy that is skyrocketing. The figures at the pump have also rarely been so high. Or never: diesel is since last week at 1.5354 euros per liter, its historical record. The last peak, in October 2018 at 1.5331 euros per liter, triggered the “yellow vests” crisis. Unleaded is also approaching its 2012 record, at 1.60 euros per liter.
The reason is simple. With the Covid-19 epidemic, both needs and production had collapsed. Last year, a barrel of Brent was worth about $ 40. But with the economic recovery, demand increases and producing countries, such as Saudi Arabia or Russia, take the opportunity to raise prices before production.