Wholesale oil price rises linked to war in the Middle East and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed UK petrol up 10p per litre and diesel up 20ppl over three weeks, the RAC found. A 55-litre family fill now costs roughly £79 for petrol or £88 for diesel; diesel has climbed above 161ppl for the first time since November 2023 and is on course to hit 170ppl.
Analysts and industry figures say the spike reflects diesel supply constraints—UK refineries cannot meet demand so more diesel is imported and takes longer to refine—and forecourts set prices based on the cost of upcoming deliveries. The AA reported drivers are becoming more cost-conscious, with slower motorway speeds observed, while the Petrol Retailers Association notes retailers sometimes must raise pump prices quickly and face rising operating costs; average margins this year have been about 12p per litre.