Some motorists in France are choosing to run their cars on used cooking oil as fuel prices remain high, according to Le Parisien. The newspaper reported on drivers who have made the switch, including one who said the smell of frying gave him away. Le Parisien published the report on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The article describes the practice as a response to the cost of conventional fuel. It does not detail how widespread the practice is or what legal or mechanical issues it may raise.
The report sits alongside a broader rise in interest in alternative fuels in France. According to 20 Minutes, mixing ethanol or colza into petrol without the right setup can damage a vehicle. Separately, Roole Média reported that drivers in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region can receive 250 euros in aid toward an E85 conversion box. Paris-Normandie reported that demand for bioethanol kits has surged amid rising fuel prices, and warned that the trend has brought scams with it. The website bioethanolcarburant.com also promotes Superéthanol-E85 as a way to lower fuel budgets.
Taken together, the coverage points to cost pressure pushing some French drivers toward non-standard or converted fuel setups, with official support in at least one region and warnings about both mechanical risk and fraud.
What to watch next: whether French authorities clarify the rules on running vehicles on cooking oil, and whether regional aid for E85 conversions spreads beyond PACA.
