UK fuel prices hit £2 per litre as drivers have ‘never seen it this bad’ | UK | News
Signs on fuel pumps at the Asda Texaco petrol station in Clapham, south London. Asda’s boss has warned that there are “temporary outages” at some petrol pumps due to supply shortages linked to conflict in the Middle East. Picture date: Friday, March 27, 2026. PA Photo. Britain’s second-largest fuel retailer also rejected accusations that oil dealers were “capitalising” on high prices in recent weeks. Photo credit should be: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire (Image: PA)
Diesel prices have skyrocketed and drivers have expressed concern, claiming they have ‘never seen prices this bad’.
The conflict in the Middle East currently shows no signs of abating and with the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed, experts have warned that fuel prices may continue to rise.
Despite the Prime Minister warning motorists to stop buying petrol in a panic, long queues are reportedly still forming on forecourts across the country as motorists rush to fill up.
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On Sunday, the cost per liter of diesel rose by 27 per cent to 181.2 pence from 142.4 pence on February 28, when the war began. Gasoline also increased by 14 percent to an average of 152 pence per liter.
But The Sun discovered the price of diesel at three petrol stations was 199.9 pa per litre.
Forecourt owners stated they had no control over the increases due to the prices they were currently being charged.
Alan Hunter, 67, who owns Hope’s Garage in Penrith, Cumbria, said: “It’s because of the price we’ve had to pay. We’re just a village service station and not a big franchise and we can’t sell it at a loss.”
At RE Mills Motor Engineers in Rothley, Leicester, diesel cost 219.6p while unleaded fuel cost 195.6p per litre. Owner Ray Mills said: “I have to pay the supplier more for this.
Figures show diesel prices have risen 23% since the start of conflict in the Middle East (stock image) (Image: Getty)
“I’m not making money anymore, and even though it’s not my fault, I want to apologize to customers.”
Although fuel costs appeared to have decreased somewhat after the weekend, drivers warned they may have to make significant adjustments to their daily lives if prices continue to rise. Delivery driver Iain Collins, 57, said he had to consider finding “a job closer to home” in the face of rising costs.
Van driver Matthew Clarke, 29, expressed concerns about his employer cutting hours, adding: “I’ve never seen prices this bad.”
Experts have warned that these figures will worsen if the conflict continues. Luke Bosdet, the AA’s pump pricing spokesman, warned motorists could face paying between £2.20 and £2.25 for diesel within weeks if hostilities continue.
Bosdet said: “If the average is between £1.90 and £1.95 you can add 30p for motorway service stations and remote areas with less trade.
“The reason businesses sell diesel for 199.9p per liter is because of the psychological barrier; you cannot overstate the importance of that £2 threshold. “It is difficult to predict what will happen in the near future. Donald Trump “If Iranians make peace, prices will hit rock bottom.”
