RAC warns of cost of a litre of fuel hitting £2

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

As prices at the pumps again reach new highs, RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said:

“The cost of filling a 55-litre family car with petrol has now topped £98 for the first time in history as a result of a litre hitting a new all-time high of 178.5p on Monday. Diesel also rose to yet another record by reaching 185.2p which takes the cost of a tank to £101.86.

“With analysts predicting that oil will average $135 a barrel for the rest of this year drivers need to brace themselves for average fuel prices rocketing to £2 a litre which would mean a fill-up would rise to an unbelievable £110.

“The oil price is rising due to increased demand for fuel across the world as China eases its Covid restrictions and America and Europe go into the peak summer driving season. All this combined with a weaker pound at $1.2 means wholesale fuel costs more for retailers to buy. The wholesale price of diesel is fast approaching 160p a litre which, when you add 7p retailer margin and 20% VAT, would take the pump price over the £2 mark.

“We strongly urge the Government to take drastic action to help soften the impact for drivers from these never-before-seen pump prices.”

Find out more about petrol and diesel prices with RAC Fuel Watch. The RAC now also tracks the cost of rapid-charging electric cars, via RAC Charge Watch.

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Diesel dips below £2 a litre
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “While it’s positive to see the average cost of a litre of diesel dipping back below £2 a litre, we’re a long way from being out of the woods when it comes to high fuel prices. Diesel remains around 57p a litre higher than before the US/Iran conflict, and petrol 42p higher – meaning households are paying £31 and £23 more respectively every time they fill up a family-sized car. And as things stand, this year is still set to be the second most expensive year on record for drivers.
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Diesel tops £2 a litre for first time ever
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “This is a pump price threshold that no-one wanted to cross – the average price of a litre of diesel has risen to a record 200.01p and is showing no signs of slowing, heaping more misery onto motorists. The cost of filling up an average family car is now £110, almost £32 more than it was at the start of the US/Iran war. This will be very challenging for households and companies that drive a lot of miles, from commuters, haulage and delivery firms, businesses with large fleets all the way through to sole traders. In a cruel twist, it’s diesel vehicles, which were once considered the most cost-effective option for lengthy journeys, that are now burning a hole in people's pockets.
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Price of diesel reaches record high
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "The average price of a litre of diesel has now reached the highest level in UK history at 199.18p, in what will be a financial blow to households and businesses that use their vehicles regularly. The cost of filling up an average family car is now almost £110, £31 more than it was at the start of the US/Iran conflict. By eclipsing the previous highest price of 199.09p seen in June 2022, the diesel price has entered new uncharted territory. 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; undoubtedly these increased costs will be passed on to consumers.
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