UK diesel prices top £2 a litre for first time, RAC says

The RAC motoring group reported that the average price of diesel in the United Kingdom has risen to £2.00 per litre for the first time, reaching 200.01 pence, while petrol averages 174.71 pence per litre. The surge, described by the RAC as showing “no signs of slowing,” is adding significant strain to motorists, commuters, haulage firms, delivery services and any business that relies on large vehicle fleets. RAC policy head Simon Williams warned that the £2 threshold “will be very challenging for households and companies that drive a lot of miles,” noting the broader impact on consumers who face higher delivery costs and food prices even if they do not own diesel vehicles.

The price escalation is linked to a series of geopolitical disruptions that have tightened global diesel supplies. Over the past seven months, the war in Iran has severely hampered production and transport of wholesale oil and refined products, while Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have further constrained diesel output. In addition, China’s restrictions on refined‑fuel exports have limited available supply. These factors have driven worldwide price spikes, prompting G7 leaders to convene an urgent meeting in which they agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil and to refrain from imposing export restrictions on one another—a move intended to curb further price hikes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a ban on American diesel shipments abroad.

The rising cost is already being felt on the ground. Norfolk farmer Mark Means, who has spent £50,000 on new diesel tanks to secure fuel for his operations, said he is “frightened to death” by the price surge, which is eroding his margins. In Leicester, driving instructor Steven Tompkins explained that higher fuel costs force him to raise lesson fees, burdening students on tight budgets. The government has sought to reassure the public, emphasizing a “diverse and resilient supply” and denying any imminent diesel shortage. Over half of the UK’s diesel is imported, with roughly 17 % sourced from the United States, underscoring the nation’s reliance on foreign fuel amid volatile international markets.

⚡ Effects Interpreter