Diesel Drivers Ripped Off at the Pumps!
Diesel costs punters a hefty 168p a litre, a shocking 20p more than unleaded petrol at 148p, despite wholesale prices being almost neck and neck. Last week, diesel’s wholesale price was just 6p higher than petrol (121.06p vs 115.48p), yet the price at the pump tells a very different story.
RAC Warns Diesel Prices Are Sky-High
The RAC says diesel is massively overpriced. If priced fairly, diesel should cost no more than 155p a litre. That would slash the average fill-up on a 55-litre family car by £7—from a punishing £92.40 down to £85.25. Instead, retailers are raking it in, pocketing almost 20p profit per litre of diesel, more than double their margin on petrol (just 8.5p).
Costco Cuts Diesel Prices, Others Lag Behind
Membership giant Costco is the only retailer leading the way, recently chopping 4p off diesel prices across the UK. This means diesel is selling at an average 154.7p at Costco – a massive 13p cheaper than the UK average and 11.5p less than the pricey big four supermarkets.
“Drivers of the country’s 12 million diesel cars and white vans are paying a huge premium that has no basis in wholesale costs,” said RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams.
“While petrol prices seem fair, diesel drivers are slugged unfairly. The wholesale gap has shrunk to just 3.5p recently, yet pump prices barely budged—only a 2p drop since February started. Costco’s 4p cut proves fairer pricing is possible. Other retailers must follow.”
“The gap between diesel and petrol prices is now the smallest since October 2022—under 20p. If retailers act now, diesel drivers could save serious cash at every fill-up.”
