UK Diesel Price Hits £2 Per Litre Amid Middle East Conflict

The average pump price of diesel in the United Kingdom has hit £2 per litre for the first time, according to data compiled by the RAC motoring organisation.

The latest RAC Fuel Watch data showed that filling a 55-litre petrol tank now costs £96.09, representing an increase of £23.03 from the £73.06 recorded before the US-Iran conflict began.

The same-sized tank of diesel now costs £110.01, up £31.70 from the £78.31 recorded on February 28, when the conflict began.

The RAC attributed the surge to severe disruptions to fuel supplies caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams, said the average price of diesel had risen to a record 200.01 pence per litre, warning that prices showed no signs of slowing.

“The cost of filling up an average family car is now £110, almost £32 more than it was at the start of the US/Iran war,” Williams said.

He said the increase would put additional pressure on households and businesses that depend heavily on road transport, including commuters, haulage and delivery firms, fleet operators and sole traders.

Williams added that US threats to ban diesel exports could push prices even higher, while petrol prices had also risen to an average of 174.71 pence per litre.

The development comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump urged European Union countries to release some of their diesel reserves to help ease soaring global fuel prices.

The US administration said American farmers, truckers and businesses should not be left to bear the burden of global supply disruptions.