Fuel prices rise again as July sees second consecutive monthly increase
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 10
Fuel prices have risen for the second month in a row, according to new RAC Fuel Watch figures. Petrol and diesel both recorded notable increases during July, continuing the upward trend seen since the start of June.
The average price for a litre of unleaded stood at 135p by the end of July, up 0.85p from 134.15p at the start of the month. Diesel rose more sharply, increasing by 1.64p from 141.21p to 142.85p. These follow earlier rises in June, bringing the total increase to nearly 3p for petrol and 4.5p for diesel in just two months.
This means a typical 55-litre tank now costs £74.26 to fill with unleaded and £78.57 with diesel. Petrol is now at its highest average level since mid-April. Diesel is at its priciest since the third week of March.
Supermarkets continue to offer cheaper fuel, with average prices sitting at 131.5p for petrol and 139p for diesel. That’s around 4p less per litre compared to the UK average.
Northern Ireland remains the least expensive region to buy fuel. Unleaded averaged 128p a litre and diesel 134.5p, marginally higher than at Costco forecourts, where prices were 125.6p and 133.2p respectively.
There are also significant regional differences in prices across the UK. In England, unleaded prices off the motorway range by 34p a litre, from 125.7p to 159.9p. Scotland saw a 27.2p gap between the cheapest and most expensive prices, and Wales recorded a 15.2p spread. Northern Ireland showed the narrowest difference, at just 12p.
RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Unfortunately, drivers heading into the busy summer holiday season will be met with rising prices at the pumps, as the cost of fuel increased in July for the second month running.
“While the average price of petrol for the year so far is just a couple of pence above the average for all of 2021, drivers are still meant to be benefiting from a 5p-a-litre fuel duty discount (52.95p as opposed to 57.95p) which has been in place since the start of the Ukraine War in early 2022.
“Our analysis of the difference between wholesale and retail prices shows retailer margins remain high, particularly on petrol. This is emphasised by the fact the average price of unleaded in Northern Ireland is 7p cheaper than the average across the UK.
“Drivers may also see significant differences on forecourt totems from area to area which can be very frustrating. To buy the best value fuel it’s important to keep an eye out for the lowest prices around. Alternatively, start using a free mobile app such as myRAC to find the cheapest fuel near you.”
