Availability of diesel in Europe in the coming months

[UFO]

Our current plan is to go to Europe for 4 to 6 weeks towards the end of April - no ferry booked yet. NE France, Champagne + Alsace-Lorraine, west Czech Republic and west Poland (following the German border) and then possibly across north Germany, maybe dipping into Denmark and The Netherlands. It's a plan that will likely be changed quite a lot as we travel - as usually happens.

The question is with the current conflicts what the impact on diesel availability will be? None of us have a crystal ball and the instigators are unpredictable - so I am not expecting ‘an answer’. But as always an online conversation may help to clarify my thinking.

Any thoughts on what the situation would be for a UK registered vehicle if say Germany / France introduced diesel rationing?

If you are in the area at the moment, how does it currently look locally?

The options are

1. Don't go
2. Go and hope for the best, filling the tank at every opportunity
3. Start with a plan which limits distance travelled to a tank of diesel and stay put in more places than we would typically do

I am very aware that my problem pales into insignificance compared to what many innocent people are suffering. Also the ethics of using diesel for leisure when, if there are shortages, vital services could be impacted.

Moonraker 2 raised this issue in the thread https://wildcamping.co.uk/threads/will-the-war-affect-us.103027/ but it went a bit off-piste!

 

[barryd]

There was a similar thread on another forum recently and the general opinion was everyone was still going for it.

In theory there shouldn't be a shortage. I'm not due to go over until mid August so we will either be sorted by then or blown to bits.

 

[Toffeecat]

I was watching sky news and they showed a chart of UK refineries. Good few have closed and not replaced and the ones left mainly do petrol. So we are making more than enough petrol but need to import diesel. Not sure about Europe but im guessing they are wiser than us but who knows.

 

[izwozral]

I'm getting into prepping mode, thinking things are going to get worse before they get better.
Also, be mindful of fuel theft.

If the war doesn't get us then conflict within our own borders will.

Phils new AI is probably going to delete this post but it's not intended to be political.

 

[colinm]

There was a similar thread on another forum recently and the general opinion was everyone was still going for it

How long have you suffered from dementia?
It was on this forum, and the last reply was on Thursday.

 

[colinm]

Ooo, I've upset the AI.

 

[mark61]

Our current plan is to go to Europe for 4 to 6 weeks towards the end of April - no ferry booked yet. NE France, Champagne + Alsace-Lorraine, west Czech Republic and west Poland (following the German border) and then possibly across north Germany, maybe dipping into Denmark and The Netherlands. It's a plan that will likely be changed quite a lot as we travel - as usually happens.

The question is with the current conflicts what the impact on diesel availability will be? None of us have a crystal ball and the instigators are unpredictable - so I am not expecting ‘an answer’. But as always an online conversation may help to clarify my thinking.

Any thoughts on what the situation would be for a UK registered vehicle if say Germany / France introduced diesel rationing?

If you are in the area at the moment, how does it currently look locally?

The options are

1. Don't go
2. Go and hope for the best, filling the tank at every opportunity
3. Start with a plan which limits distance travelled to a tank of diesel and stay put in more places than we would typically do

I am very aware that my problem pales into insignificance compared to what many innocent people are suffering. Also the ethics of using diesel for leisure when, if there are shortages, vital services could be impacted.

Moonraker 2 raised this issue in the thread https://wildcamping.co.uk/threads/will-the-war-affect-us.103027/ but it went a bit off-piste!

As you point out, no-one has a crystal ball, but, "Any thoughts on what the situation would be for a UK registered vehicle if say Germany / France introduced diesel rationing?" is probably the thing you don't need a crystal ball for.
If rationing comes in, you can expect to be treated like a local, rationing on number plate can still apply. Rationing for essential travel only? a touring holiday will not be treated as essential, getting home maybe. Sure there will be a black market somewhere if coupons are introduced.

 

[TeamRienza]

We are scheduled for Dublin to Cherbourg on 25th May. Normally away by mid April, so a bit more time to see how things shape up.
Theoretically we want to visit Italy this year, but relaxed about destinations.
In previous years when the french had strikes at refinerys we did not find any animosity from locals when we filled up, however there was no enforced rationing other than stations setting limits to try and ensure fairness.
Our van has a full tank range of about 900 km, so given an arrival at Cherbourg we can go about 400 km. We did something along those lines during strikes simply ensuring enough fuel to return to cherbourg on one tank as we monitored fuel availability.
We are finding that with age, health, and familiarity with France, that we stay longer in any given location.
Similarly there is a c&cc temporary holiday site in Whitby late April which I may consider, doable on one tank. This also allows me to consider pushing back the french trip due to flexible booking.
I also have a couple of jerry cans holding approx 40 litres which can extend my range.
Fuel theft is a different matter and apart from putting a device in the filler to stop the insertion of a hose to siphon, we travel in hope and faith in the vast majority of people. Probably still more likely to have a breakin. I may consider using more sites than usual (usually none) for the feeling of security. We tend to risk assess anywhere that we park or stay, so business as usual,we hope!!

Davy

 

[Jo001]

We had to postpone a couple of weeks ago, due to an unwell dog (now recovered) but we are having serious second thoughts about going at all now. Do we need the worry? Probably not.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I don't think filling up whenever you see a chance is going to help overall. Get down to half a tank, then fill up, makes more sense, and then you're not adding to the problem.

 

[barryd]

How long have you suffered from dementia?
It was on this forum, and the last reply was on Thursday.

It might have been but the thread I remember was most definitely on the other channel.

 

[UFO]

I don't think filling up whenever you see a chance is going to help overall. Get down to half a tank, then fill up,

Yes, I won't be stopping at every station - bad wording in my post! Filling when tank is at half makes sense.