UK diesel average reaches record 199.18p per litre

The average UK price of diesel reached 199.18 pence per litre on September 28, setting a new record and edging above the previous peak of 199.09p recorded in June 2022, according to figures compiled by the RAC. The rise is increasing costs for motorists and businesses that rely on road transport, though its eventual effect on consumer prices is uncertain. The RAC comparison shows diesel averaged 142.38p per litre on February 28, when the US-Iran conflict began, and was up 56.8p by September 28. Filling a typical 55-litre tank now costs about £109.54, roughly £31 more than at the start of that period. Actual prices vary by location and retailer. Unleaded petrol averaged about 174.13p per litre, below its 2022 record, the RAC figures show. The fuel-price increases have been linked in reports to pressure on global oil and refined-fuel supplies amid conflict-related disruption. The sources do not quantify how much of the increase is attributable to any particular event or supply interruption. Diesel is widely used by delivery vehicles and lorries, meaning higher fuel bills can also raise operating costs for businesses transporting goods.