UK motorists have been advised to fill up their vehicles before Sunday as petrol and diesel costs continue to climb due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The average price of unleaded has surged by more than 14p a litre since the end of February, reaching its highest level since June 2024.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'Given how many rely on their cars, households are really feeling the effects of the conflict in the Middle East. The average price of unleaded has now risen more than 14p a litre to 147.19p since the end of February, adding £8 to the cost of filling up a family car which currently stands at £81.'
For diesel drivers, the situation is far worse, with a litre up 29p to 171.17p, its highest price for more than three years. This means a tank now costs £94, £16 more than at the start of the conflict. Mr Williams added: 'With the price of petrol likely to go above 150p a litre in the next week and diesel heading to 180p, it's looking like it will be the most expensive Easter on the roads since the early days of the war in Ukraine in 2022.'
Allan Leighton, executive chairman of Asda, revealed exceptional demand from motorists in recent weeks, with demand outstripping supply. He said: 'Our fuel volumes are up quite significantly and clearly demand has been outstripping supply. Supply is tight and we are all trying hard on that. The spikiness at the moment makes this tricky for us, as spikes can lead to temporary shortages.'
