The UK's cheapest supermarket fuel has been identified, with Sainsbury's offering the lowest petrol prices amid rising wholesale oil costs that have reached £73 ($100) a barrel.
Oil Prices Surge to $100 a Barrel
Brent Crude, the international benchmark, hit $100 a barrel on Wednesday, marking a 2.4% rise and the first time it has reached that level since July. Disruption in the Middle East continues to affect costs.
The AA said rising costs were already being passed on to customers, with petrol jumping 4.4p per litre since the bank holiday and diesel rising by 4.1p.
Supermarket Petrol Prices Compared
Data from RAC Fuel Watch, which monitors pump prices at the four major UK supermarkets, shows Sainsbury's leads on petrol at an average of 156.9p per litre. Asda charges around 163.1p per litre, Tesco 163.7p per litre, and Morrisons 164.0p per litre.
For diesel, Asda tops the list at 185.5p per litre, followed by Tesco at 185.7p, Morrisons at 185.8p, and Sainsbury's at 187.9p per litre.
Warning of Further Price Rises
RAC Fuel Watch experts have warned that petrol and diesel fees are "likely to rise." Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer, said: "Drivers are having to dig ever deeper into their pockets every time they fill up, and there's no sign of any relief yet. With the cost of a barrel of oil having averaged $96 for the last week, wholesale prices are surging and that's already feeding through to prices at the forecourt."
Dennis added: "The latest price rises throw into sharp focus just how exposed UK drivers can be to events thousands of miles away, and will likely increase calls for the Chancellor to demonstrate support for households already struggling with the rising cost of living."
