Fuel prices are rising again across the UK as more than 14 million drivers prepare to take to the roads at the start of the school summer holidays.
Petrol Climbs Back Above 151p a Litre
The average UK forecourt price of petrol rose from a six-week low of 150.7p a litre on Monday to 151p a litre over the weekend, according to figures cited by the AA. Only two parts of the country still record average petrol prices below 150p a litre: the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. At 151p a litre, filling a 50-litre petrol tank costs around £75.50.
Diesel prices have moved little, edging up from 164.8p to 164.9p a litre ahead of the weekend. A 50-litre tank at that price costs about £82.45, leaving diesel drivers with a higher bill than petrol motorists.
Wholesale Fuel Costs Move Higher
The AA linked the latest increase to higher wholesale prices since the final week of June. Wholesale petrol costs have risen by as much as 4p a litre, while diesel costs have climbed by more than 6p a litre.
The association said the rise followed the collapse of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Renewed tensions have raised concerns about oil supplies and global crude prices.
Forecourt Prices Could Rise Further
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said petrol and diesel prices could increase by another couple of pence per litre over the coming days. A rise of 2p a litre would add around £1 to the cost of filling a 50-litre tank. The increase comes as millions of households prepare for journeys to holiday destinations across the country.
The RAC said the direction of UK pump prices will depend heavily on whether further attacks take place between the United States and Iran.
Fuel Duty Cut Still Reduces the Cost of Filling Up
Luke Bosdet, the AA’s spokesman on pump prices, said current forecourt prices would be around 6p a litre higher without the fuel duty reduction. That figure is made up of a 5p cut in fuel duty and around 1p in VAT. For a 50-litre tank, the tax reduction lowers the cost of a fill-up by roughly £3.
Current prices are still below the levels recorded in April, when the conflict between the United States and Iran pushed petrol to 159p a litre and diesel to 192p a litre. Prices later fell after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, bringing some relief to motorists.
With one of the busiest summer travel weekends since RAC records began approaching, drivers may face higher costs at the pumps. Comparing local forecourt prices could save several pounds over the course of a long summer journey.
