Petrol and diesel drivers continue to be hammered at the pumps as the latest data shows that fuel prices have risen to a six-month high.
The average price for a litre of petrol is at its highest level since September, with RAC Fuel Watch data showing five months of consecutive price rises.
The cost for a litre of petrol jumped by 0.65p in February to reach almost £1.40 on average – the highest price since September 6 last year.
Average diesel prices also continue to rise, with drivers now paying around 146.48p per litre, a price not seen since August 29, 2024 (146.55p).
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Drivers have been described as the ‘unfortunate casualties’ amid the rising price of petrol and diesel
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Families are now spending £3 more to fill up the average-sized car, with a full tank costing £76.81 for petrol and £80.56 for diesel.
Experts continue to urge motorists to shop around for fuel to get the best price, especially at supermarkets, where prices are 2.3p cheaper for petrol and 2.6p cheaper for diesel.
The RAC pointed out that some supermarkets are going above and beyond to cut prices. A handful of sites near Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-upon-Tyne are charging just 127.7p per litre of unleaded.
Several independent forecourts are also offering discounts for motorists, including a site in Shropshire which is selling petrol at 126.9p per litre and diesel for 135.9p.
According to the RAC Fuel Watch data, pump prices are rising because of the increased cost of oil which jumped to $82 per barrel because of cold weather in the northern hemisphere and possible disruptions linked to Trump’s second Presidency.
Despite this, oil prices and wholesale fuel prices have fallen in the last few weeks, meaning petrol and diesel should be cheaper at the pumps in the near future.
Simon Williams, fuel spokesperson for the RAC, described the price rises as “disappointing” and called drivers the “unfortunate casualties” of rising wholesale prices.
He added: “But we hope better times are on the horizon. With wholesale fuel costs falling throughout February, there’s a good prospect petrol and diesel prices will come down this month as retailers buy fresh stock at lower prices.
“As always, it really does pay to shop around because pump prices at supermarket sites vary by as much as 13p a litre.”
Motorists in Northern Ireland continue to benefit from the cheapest petrol and diesel prices across the UK. The average price of unleaded at the end of February was 132.9p, while diesel costs just 138.9p.
The Consumer Council Fuel Price Checker has been heralded as bringing down petrol and diesel prices by publishing the cheapest and most expensive costs from around the country.
The interactive map shows that Limavady has the cheapest average petrol price at 129.4p per litre, which is already 3.5p more affordable than the national average.
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Petrol and diesel prices are expected to come down in the near future
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Drivers across the country can travel to Newtownabbey for the lowest cost diesel at just 134.9p, while Newry charges the most (144.4p).
There are hopes that the rest of the UK will benefit from cheaper costs before the end of the year thanks to the Government’s Fuel Finder tool, which will also publish live prices.
Estimates in the Autumn Budget suggest drivers could save between one and six pence per litre when it launches later this year.
