Current Prices: Petrol 148.78p/L | Diesel 176.52p/L

UK fuel prices have recorded another week of devastating increases, with diesel surging 9.6p per litre to approach the 180p mark. Petrol jumped 4.6p as the Middle East conflict continues into its fifth week with no resolution in sight.

A 50-litre tank of petrol now costs £74.39 – up £2.30 from last week. Diesel drivers are paying a staggering £88.26, an extra £4.80 in just seven days.

This Week’s Prices

  • Petrol (ULSP): 148.78p per litre – up 4.6p this week
  • Diesel (ULSD): 176.52p per litre – up 9.6p this week

Diesel has now risen by approximately 10p per litre for four consecutive weeks – an extraordinary and sustained surge that has pushed prices to levels not seen since the peak of the 2022 energy crisis.

Five Weeks of Relentless Rises

Since the Middle East conflict began on February 28, prices have exploded:

  • Petrol: Up 17.07p per litre (from 131.71p) – a 13% increase
  • Diesel: Up 35.06p per litre (from 141.46p) – a 25% increase

For a driver filling up weekly:

  • Petrol: £8.54 more per tank – £444 extra per year
  • Diesel: £17.53 more per tank – £911 extra per year

Year-on-Year: Unprecedented Increases

The year-on-year comparison tells a stark story:

  • Petrol: Now 13.9p MORE expensive than March 2025
  • Diesel: Now 34.3p MORE expensive than March 2025

Diesel drivers are paying £17.15 more per 50-litre tank compared to this time last year. Just two months ago, they were enjoying year-on-year savings. That has been completely obliterated.

The Diesel Premium Hits Extreme Levels

The gap between petrol and diesel has now stretched to 27.74p per litre – nearly triple what it was before the crisis began. Diesel drivers are paying £13.87 more per 50-litre tank than petrol users.

The price breakdown shows the dramatic shift in wholesale costs:

  • Petrol base cost (pre-tax): 71.03p (up from 56.81p in mid-February)
  • Diesel base cost (pre-tax): 94.15p (up from 64.93p in mid-February)
  • Fuel duty: 52.95p (unchanged)
  • VAT at 20%: 24.80p (petrol) / 29.42p (diesel)

Diesel’s wholesale cost has surged by a staggering 29.22p in just six weeks – a 45% increase. Petrol’s wholesale cost has risen 14.22p (25%) over the same period.

What’s Driving the Surge?

The Strait of Hormuz – through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil flows – remains severely disrupted. Oil prices have remained above $100 a barrel throughout the crisis, with spikes above $110 during the most intense periods of conflict.

Diesel has been hit harder than petrol due to:

  • Greater reliance on Middle Eastern refining capacity
  • Higher global demand for diesel in freight and shipping
  • Europe’s dependence on diesel imports

Rationing Concerns Continue

The government has confirmed that contingency plans for fuel rationing remain in place. A Treasury minister this week refused to rule out activating emergency powers under the Energy Act 1976 if supply disruptions worsen.

The National Emergency Plan for Fuel sets out a priority hierarchy: emergency services first, followed by utilities, public transport, commercial vehicles, and finally private motorists.

For now, there is no shortage at UK forecourts – but prices continue their relentless climb.

CMA Investigation Ongoing

The Competition and Markets Authority continues to investigate whether fuel retailers are overcharging drivers. With some forecourts now charging over 200p per litre while others remain below 160p, price variations have never been wider.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has met with fuel companies this month amid accusations of “price gouging” and “rocket and feather” pricing.

What Drivers Must Do

At these crisis-level prices, every decision matters:

Shop around aggressively – Price differences of 40p+ per litre mean potential savings of £20 or more per tank. Check CheckFuelPrices before every single fill-up.

Don’t panic buy – There is currently no shortage. Panic buying creates queues and empty pumps that wouldn’t otherwise exist.

Drive as efficiently as possible – At 176p for diesel, smooth driving and proper tyre pressures could save you £25+ per tank.

Cut every non-essential journey – The AA has urged drivers to seriously reconsider whether each trip is truly necessary.

Check availability – Use our crowdsourced availability reports to find stations with fuel and avoid wasted trips.

Where Prices Could Go Next

With the conflict showing no signs of resolution, further increases remain possible:

  • Oil at $120/barrel: Petrol could reach 160-170p per litre
  • Oil at $140/barrel: Petrol could approach 190p per litre

And with the 5p fuel duty cut being reversed from August – adding a further 1p initially, rising to 5p by March 2027 – drivers face even more pain ahead.

The Cost of Filling Up

Fuel Type Price per Litre 50L Tank Cost Change Since Feb 28
Petrol (ULSP) 148.78p £74.39 +£8.54
Diesel (ULSD) 176.52p £88.26 +£17.53

Find the Cheapest Fuel Near You

At these prices, shopping around isn’t optional – it’s essential. Use CheckFuelPrices to compare prices at stations near you. Our data comes directly from the government’s Fuel Finder Scheme, updated within 30 minutes of any price change.

We’ll continue tracking prices daily. Check back next week for the latest update.