Diesel prices have risen above £2 per litre at a number of Greater Manchester petrol stations as nationwide prices reach a near record high. It comes amid fears Donald Trump will ban US diesel exports in a bid to ease prices for American drivers.
The average price of diesel in the UK is currently 197.75p per litre, according to the RAC's Fuel Watch, where the data is updated daily. That is just short of the record average high of 199.07p per litre in July 2022, which was set following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Motorway services and suburban garages pass £2 mark
However, the RAC says diesel at motorway services is currently costing 214.4p per litre. And the prices at a number of filling stations in Greater Manchester are now above £2.
At Birch services on the M62 near Rochdale, diesel is currently almost £2.20 a litre, at 219.2p, according to Fuel Finder. However, prices at some suburban garages have even passed the £2 mark.
The BP on Droyslden Road in Audenshaw is selling diesel for 203.9p per litre, according to the Fuel Finder website. At the Texaco garages on Middleton Road in Heywood, and Stockport Road in Marple, diesel is currently 202.9p per litre. Whilst it is said to be priced at 201.9p per litre at a number of Esso and Shell garages.
Rises since February and record petrol prices
According to the RAC, diesel prices have gone up 55.4p per litre since Donald Trump began his war with Iran in February.
Petrol prices have also gone up 40.5p since that time, with unleaded currently selling for an average of 173.32p per litre across the UK, and 194.31p at motorway services. The highest nationwide average price for petrol was 191.43p, also recorded in July 2022.
US exports are said to have made up a third of the European diesel imports this year, with supplies from refineries in the Middle East and Russia having plummeted.
White House weighs export ban
Speaking on the sidelines at the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, President Trump suggested keeping domestic supplies inside the US could also ease broader petrol prices.
"I've called for that too. I've said let's not send out the diesel," he said. "We make a lot of diesel. That could have a little bit of an effect on regular automobile gasoline."
The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed officials were assessing 'whether a full or partial ban would work' without disrupting refinery capabilities, the BBC reported with further reports saying the White House was considering a 90-day export ban to provide a 'temporary respite' for US drivers.
The European Commission has warned that 'any disruption would risk negatively impacting both sides' whilst some UK business figures are now urging Andy Burnham to lobby the President regarding the move.
