Fuel crisis continues as diesel hits record 150p milestone at the pumps
The average price of diesel is more than £1.50 a litre for the first time ever, according RAC’s Fuel Watch data.
Diesel prices rose to 150.50p during the weekend, while unleaded petrol soared to 146.53p, with motorists suffering record charges at the pumps for three consecutive weeks.
The cost of filling up a 55-litre petrol or diesel family car has risen by around £18 since the start of the year, following the surge in prices.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has frozen fuel duty for the 12th consecutive year, but customers remain exposed to soaring wholesale costs and global supply shortages.
The motoring group’s fuel spokesperson, Simon Williams, said the news was a “particularly miserable milestone” for customers.
He said: “The high prices drivers are having to endure at the pumps are coming at a time of rising domestic energy costs and, in turn inflation, which risks making the coming winter a horrendously expensive one, especially for those on lower incomes.”
The motoring group also noted that used car prices remain high, meaning it’s even more costly for many drivers to upgrade to newer, more efficient vehicles to save themselves money.
RAC’s advice to motorists is to shop around for cheaper fuel and drive as economically as possible.
Last month, RAC accused petrol retailers of taking “a bigger cut” than normal on petrol and urged them not to “contribute further” to the crisis.