UK petrol and diesel drivers urged to avoid filling up from Friday | UK | News

Road users in the UK are being warned to avoid filling up from Friday as fuel prices could rise due to increased travel demand.

Increased fuel demand and limited supply as a result of conflicts in the Middle East have caused prices to rise. The RAC now warns fuel prices could rise further. According to RAC, the average oil price has increased by 20 pence since the beginning of the conflict in Iran.

Iran has closed one of the world’s key oil trade routes in retaliation for joint US-Israeli attacks on key points across the country since February 28.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil trade passes, became one of the controversial points of the conflict. Oil tankers are regularly the target of Iranian attacks in the strait, leading to widespread panic about the future of global oil supplies.

Motorists are being warned to avoid filling up at peak times this week as fuel prices show signs of rising again ahead of increased travel demand over the bank holiday weekend.

Fuel experts say prices generally rise towards the weekend as more drivers hit the roads, especially in the days leading up to peak periods such as Easter.

“RAC analysis of wholesale fuel data indicates the price of oil will potentially stabilize if the cost of petrol does not rise further, although diesel still looks likely to rise,” RAC head of policy Simon Williams said.

He added that motorists can save money by filling up earlier in the week or at quieter times of the day as forecourts respond to changing demand.