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Diesel prices hit record 199.18p as RAC warns of rising costs for drivers and businesses
The average price of diesel in the UK has reached a record 199.18p per litre, exceeding the previous high of 199.09p recorded in June 2022.
Simon Williams, the RAC’s head of policy, said the increase would be “a financial blow to households and businesses that use their vehicles regularly”.
Filling an average family car with diesel now costs almost £110, around £31 more than at the start of the US-Iran conflict. Diesel has risen by 56.8p per litre, or 39.9%, since 28 February, when the average price stood at 142.38p.
“By eclipsing the previous highest price of 199.09p seen in June 2022, the diesel price has entered new uncharted territory,” Williams said.
Petrol prices have also continued to rise. The average price of unleaded is now 174.13p per litre, up 41.3p, or 31.1%, from 132.83p on 28 February. Filling an average family car with petrol costs nearly £96.
Williams warned that the impact of higher fuel prices would extend beyond motorists, affecting companies that use diesel-powered lorries and vans to move goods and deliver services.
“This spells pain not only at the pumps for drivers, but for everyone who buys goods or services that rely on diesel lorries and vans,” he said.
“Undoubtedly these increased costs will be passed on to consumers.”
The RAC said pump prices would require a sustained fall in oil prices before motorists saw meaningful relief. Williams said lower oil prices would need to continue “over several weeks, not days” before reductions reached forecourts.
He also called on the Government to consider reducing fuel duty further or cutting VAT. A further 5p per litre could be added to pump prices by spring if the current fuel duty reduction is fully reversed as planned.
