Record diesel price looms

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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.

"With concerns over the global supply of wholesale diesel, the question facing drivers is no longer 'when will the average price exceed 199.09p?' but 'how far above £2 a litre will it climb?'. Only a sudden and sustained drop in the cost of oil can prevent an average diesel pump price of over £2 a litre happening, which sadly appears highly unlikely.

"Filling up a 55-litre family car with diesel costs £30 more than it did at the start of the US/Iran war at £108.52. Petrol has also hit a new Iran War high by tipping over 173p (173.08p), although it's fortunately a long way away from the record high of 191.54p from early July 2022. A petrol fill-up costs £95 – £22 more than it did prior to the conflict."

 

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%

23/09/2026

173.08

197.31

+0.23

+40.3

30.3%

+0.42

+54.9

38.6%

 

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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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RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "Fuel prices hit new Iran War highs on Monday with petrol climbing 169.68p and diesel hitting 191.68p, surpassing Sunday's petrol high of 169.52p and the diesel high of 191.54p set on 15 April. This takes the cost of filling up a 55-litre family car with unleaded to over £93 and diesel to more than £105.
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