UK petrol and diesel prices hit highest level since 2022
RAC reports petrol at 169.68p and diesel at 191.68p per litre, reaching the highest since 2022 amid Middle East conflict and Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Petrol prices hit 169.68p and diesel reaches 191.68p per litre
- US-Israel war with Iran disrupts global oil production and transport
- Brent crude trades above $100 per barrel following military escalation
- Filling a 55-litre family car now exceeds £93 for petrol and £105 for diesel
Motorists across the United Kingdom are facing severe financial strain as fuel prices surge to their highest levels since 2022, driven by ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East according to the RAC motoring organization.
Official figures show the average price of a litre of petrol has climbed to 169.68p, while diesel has risen steeply to 191.68p per litre. This brings the cost of filling up a vehicle back to levels last witnessed shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over four years ago, compounded heavily by the military conflict between the US-Israel coalition and Iran.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The hostilities have severely crippled oil production and transportation networks across the region, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz—a vital maritime shipping lane carrying roughly 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. Although a temporary framework agreement was reached in June to de-escalate hostilities, the resurgence of tensions has pushed wholesale crude prices back on an upward trajectory.
Market analysts note that Brent crude, the global benchmark, has experienced extreme volatility, swinging from around $70 per barrel prior to the conflict to peaks above $120, and settling back above the $100 mark following fresh military escalations. Experts calculate that every $10 increase per barrel translates to an approximate 7p per litre rise at forecourts, with wholesale market shifts taking roughly a fortnight to materialize at pumps due to slow shipping times.
This energy price shock highlights the inherent vulnerability of import-dependent economies like the UK, which relies heavily on foreign oil and gas supplies despite domestic North Sea extraction. The disruption at critical maritime bottlenecks like the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates how regional military conflicts can rapidly translate into inflated global shipping costs and domestic economic hardship that persists for months.
"This takes the cost of filling up a 55-litre family car with unleaded to over £93 and diesel to more than £105."
Williams
According to RAC representatives, these spikes mean filling a standard 55-litre family vehicle now costs over £93 for unleaded petrol and more than £105 for diesel. Despite consumer concerns, market regulators and official watchdogs have stated they found no concrete evidence of widespread retail price gouging during the crisis. Meanwhile, the government previously postponed a planned fuel duty hike until late December to ease financial pressures on drivers.
Source: BBC Business
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