Diesel teeters on brink of all-time high

Image: Getty - All Rights Reserved
Image: Getty - All Rights Reserved

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "The average price of diesel is teetering on the brink of a new all-time high at 198.32p, taking the cost of a 55-litre fill-up for a family car to £109. The UK now has the most expensive diesel in Europe by 12p a litre ahead of Finland and the Netherlands.

"The record of 199.09p will almost certainly be surpassed over the weekend as retailers continue to pass on the increases they're seeing when they buy new supply. Petrol is now averaging 173.6p – its highest price in more than four years. Petrol has risen nearly 12p in September and more than 40p since the Iran War began. Diesel is up 14.5p this month alone and 55p since 28 February.

"Sadly for drivers, there appears to be no end in sight to high prices at the pumps as the cost of a barrel of oil hit $106 having been around that $100 mark for the last two weeks. A significant drop in the price of oil is badly needed but this seems unlikely without the US and Iran striking a deal."

 

Petrol

Diesel

Unleaded daily change

Unleaded change - since 28/2

Unleaded % change since 28/2

Diesel daily change

Diesel change - since 28/2

Diesel % change since 28/2

28/02/2026

132.83

142.38

+0.2

0

0.0%

+0.2

0

0.0%

25/09/2026

173.60

198.32

+0.28

+40.8

30.7%

+0.57

+55.9

39.3%

 

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Record diesel price looms
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "The price of diesel continues to move steadily towards a new all-time high. A litre now averages 197.31p across the country, meaning it's just under 2p (1.78p) from surpassing the 199.09p record set on 25 June 2022, although we’re aware of many forecourts already charging in excess of this.
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RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Average pump prices have jumped by yet another penny in just a day. Petrol has now broken through the £1.70-a-litre barrier and stands at 170.54p – its highest since 23 August 2022 – and diesel has risen to 192.86p – its highest since 29 July 2022. Unfortunately for hard-pressed drivers, prices look set to keep on rising due to the cost of a barrel of oil consistently trading over the $100 mark.
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