Diesel prices surge past 190p as sustained rises intensify pressure on high-mileage taxi drivers
- Perry Richardson
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Diesel prices in the UK have exceeded 190p per litre for the first time in recent months, intensifying financial pressure on high-mileage taxi drivers already grappling with rising operating costs.
Latest figures show diesel averaging 191.31p per litre as of 10 April 2026, marking a 48.9p increase since 28 February. This represents a 34.4% rise over the six-week period, significantly outpacing petrol price growth, which rose 25.3p to 158.16p per litre over the same timeframe.
According to RAC |Head of Po
licy Simon Williams, the sustained upward trend is unprecedented in recent years. He said diesel prices have now increased daily for 40 consecutive days, setting a new record run of rises since 2015, while petrol has matched a similar streak last seen in June 2022.
Williams noted that the cost of filling a typical 55-litre diesel vehicle has reached £105.22, up £27 since the end of February. For petrol vehicles, the equivalent fill now stands at £87, an increase of £14 over the same period. While recent declines in oil prices below $100 per barrel may slow further increases, diesel remains close to its historic peak of 199p per litre.
Fuel costs climb for 40 consecutive days, with diesel nearing record highs and significantly increasing operating expenses for taxi drivers
For taxi drivers covering high annual mileages, the sustained rise in diesel costs is having a disproportionate operational impact. A driver travelling 30,000 to 40,000 miles annually could now be facing several thousand pounds in additional fuel expenditure compared with earlier in the year, eroding already tight margins across the sector.
The impact is particularly acute for drivers operating diesel vehicles, which still make up a significant portion of the licensed taxi and private hire fleet despite ongoing electrification efforts. While some operators have begun transitioning to hybrid or fully electric vehicles, upfront costs and charging infrastructure constraints continue to limit widespread adoption.
Persistent high diesel prices could lead to longer working hours or reduced profits as drivers seek to offset the higher costs. In regulated markets where fares are capped or reviewed infrequently, the lag in adjustments may further strain driver earnings.
Williams said: "The average prices of both petrol and diesel have now increased every day for the last 40 days. For diesel this is a new record for consecutive daily prices rises since 2015 and for petrol it matches the run of rises seen at the end of June 2022. A full tank of diesel for a 55-litre family car is now £105.22, up £27 since the end of February. The cost for a similar petrol car is now £87, £14 more than it was before the conflict began.
"More positively, as we predicted earlier this week, the rate of price increases has slowed due to oil falling back below $100 for the last two days. This has reduced wholesale costs which should, if sustained, lead to the price of petrol coming down. So, as things stand, we really shouldn't see unleaded rise any further for the time being and the record diesel price of 199p now shouldn't be surpassed."
