Diesel Drivers Gouged at the Pumps as Price Gap with Petrol Shrinks
Diesel Costs Sky-High Despite Low Wholesale Prices
Last week, wholesale diesel cost just 6p more per litre than petrol (121.06p vs 115.48p). Yet drivers are slugged a hefty 168p per litre for diesel fuel, while unleaded petrol goes for just 148p. The discrepancy is grinding diesel drivers down.
RAC Hits Retailers for Massive Diesel Markup
The RAC reveals retailers are raking in almost 20p profit per litre of diesel — more than double the 8.5p margin on petrol. In effect, polluting diesel drivers subsidise cheaper petrol prices at the pumps.
The breakdown: filling a typical 55-litre diesel car currently costs £92.40. If diesel prices matched wholesale rates more fairly, drivers would pay around £85.25 — a £7 saving per tank.
Costco Leads the Way, Slashes Diesel by 4p
Membership-only giant Costco slashed diesel prices by 4p this week, pushing their average diesel rate down to 154.7p per litre. That’s 13p cheaper than the UK average and 11.5p below major supermarkets.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams blasted the industry for ignoring drivers’ plight:
“Our data shows petrol prices are fair right now, but the 12 million diesel car and white van drivers are paying a premium that doesn’t reflect diesel’s lower wholesale cost.”
“With the wholesale gap narrowing to as little as 3.5p recently, pump prices stubbornly remain high. Costco’s 4p cut proves retailers can and should do better.”
“The price gap between petrol and diesel has finally dropped under 20p for the first time since October 2022. It’s time retailers passed these savings onto hardworking diesel drivers.”
The Call for Fairer Diesel Prices
With major retailers dragging their feet, diesel drivers face yet more fuel pain. The RAC urges immediate action to reduce diesel prices and close the unfair gap, saving millions of diesel motorists money at the pumps.
