Author: Check Fuel Prices Team

With petrol now at 143.73p per litre and diesel at 164.82p, drivers are paying more at the pumps than at any point in the past 20 months. But where does that money actually go?

Understanding what makes up the price of fuel can help you see why prices spike during global crises – and why they don’t always fall as quickly as you’d expect.

The Fuel Price Breakdown

At least 50% of what you pay per litre goes straight to the government in tax. The rest covers the actual cost of fuel, delivery, and retailer margins.

Here’s how it breaks down:

Petrol (at 140.28p per litre)

• Wholesale fuel cost: 63.95p (46%)
• Fuel duty: 52.95p (38%)
• VAT at 20%: 23.38p (17%)

Diesel (at 158.78p per litre)

• Wholesale fuel cost: 79.37p (50%)
• Fuel duty: 52.95p (33%)
• VAT at 20%: 26.46p (17%)

The wholesale cost also includes retailer margins, delivery and distribution costs, and bio-content – the cost of making fuel more environmentally friendly.

Fuel Duty: The Fixed Tax

Fuel duty is a flat tax of 52.95p on every litre of petrol and diesel sold in the UK. It doesn’t change based on the price of oil – whether crude is at $50 or $100 a barrel, fuel duty remains the same.

This includes a temporary 5p cut introduced in March 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, which has been extended several times since.

At the current rate, fuel duty generates around £24 billion per year for the government – equivalent to approximately £835 per household.

The 5p Cut Is Being Reversed

The temporary 5p fuel duty cut is being phased out over the next year:

• August 2026: Duty rises 1p to 53.95p per litre
• December 2026: Duty rises another 2p to 55.95p per litre
• March 2027: Final 2p increase to 57.95p per litre

By March 2027, fuel duty will be back to its pre-2022 level of 57.95p per litre. Combined with current wholesale prices, this could push petrol towards 150p and diesel past 170p – before any further oil price increases.

Motoring groups have urged the Chancellor to delay these increases given the current crisis. AA president Edmund King said: “We strongly encourage the chancellor to delay the staggered reintroduction of the 5p fuel duty discount in order to offer some breathing space for hard-pressed households.”

VAT: The Tax on Top of Tax

VAT is charged at 20% on the total price – including the fuel duty. This means you’re effectively paying tax on tax.

At current prices:

• Petrol VAT: 23.38p per litre
• Diesel VAT: 26.46p per litre

When fuel prices rise, the government takes more in VAT. A 10p increase in the base price adds 2p in VAT on top.

Wholesale Costs: Where the Volatility Comes From

The wholesale cost of fuel – the price before tax – is where all the volatility sits. This is driven by:

Global oil prices – Brent crude, the international benchmark, has surged above $100 a barrel due to the Middle East conflict. When oil prices spike, wholesale fuel costs follow.

Refining costs – Crude oil must be refined into petrol and diesel. Refinery capacity, maintenance schedules, and regional demand all affect this cost.

Exchange rates – Oil is priced in US dollars. When the pound weakens against the dollar, fuel becomes more expensive for UK buyers.

Supply disruptions – The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil flows, has severely impacted supply chains and pushed wholesale costs sharply higher.

Why Diesel Costs More Than Petrol

Diesel is currently 18.5p per litre more expensive than petrol. This gap has nearly doubled in the past month.

The reasons:

Higher wholesale costs – Diesel’s pre-tax cost is 79.37p compared to petrol’s 63.95p. Diesel requires more intensive refining and is in higher demand globally for freight and shipping.

Supply chain exposure – Europe imports a significant portion of its diesel. Disruptions to Middle Eastern supply hit diesel harder than petrol.

Heating demand – Diesel and heating oil are similar products. Winter demand for heating can push diesel prices higher.

Retailer Margins: The Controversial Slice

The amount retailers make on each litre sold has come under scrutiny. The Competition and Markets Authority has warned that fuel margins remain “persistently high” compared to historic levels – and that this cannot be explained by retailers’ operating costs.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves accused some retailers of “price gouging” after prices at some forecourts hit nearly 180p per litre while others charged less than 130p.

This 50p variation shows why shopping around matters. Use CheckFuelPrices to compare prices at stations near you and avoid paying more than necessary.

How Much Goes to the Government?

In total, government taxes account for over half of what you pay at the pump:

• Petrol: 76.33p per litre (54%) goes to the government
• Diesel: 79.41p per litre (50%) goes to the government

On a 50-litre tank:

• Petrol: £38.17 in tax
• Diesel: £39.71 in tax

Fuel duty alone brings in around £24 billion per year, rising to a projected £26.2 billion by 2027/28 as the 5p cut is reversed.

Why Prices Rise Faster Than They Fall

Drivers often notice that pump prices shoot up when oil prices rise, but seem to fall more slowly when oil prices drop. This phenomenon is known as “rocket and feather” pricing.

The CMA is investigating whether fuel retailers are engaging in this practice – raising prices quickly in response to cost increases but reducing them slowly to boost profits.

This is another reason why checking prices matters. During volatile periods, some retailers raise prices faster than others. Finding the stations that haven’t yet increased can save you significant money.

What Can Drivers Do?

You can’t control oil prices, fuel duty, or VAT. But you can control where you fill up and how you drive.

Shop around – Price differences of 20-50p per litre mean potential savings of £10-25 per tank. Check CheckFuelPrices before every fill-up.

Drive efficiently – Smooth acceleration, proper tyre pressures, and steady speeds can cut consumption by up to 30%.

Cut non-essential trips – With prices this high, every unnecessary journey costs money.

Use supermarkets – Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons typically offer the cheapest fuel. Compare prices by brand to find the best value near you.

The Bottom Line

More than half of what you pay at the pump goes to the government in tax. The rest covers wholesale fuel costs, delivery, and retailer margins.

When oil prices spike – as they have during the current Middle East conflict – wholesale costs surge, VAT increases proportionally, and prices at the pump follow. With fuel duty increases also scheduled for later this year, drivers face a challenging few months ahead.

The one thing within your control is where you buy. Check prices, shop around, and don’t pay more than you have to.

The UK’s competition watchdog is investigating whether petrol stations are overcharging drivers in response to the Middle East conflict, amid accusations of “price gouging” from the Chancellor.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has told fuel retailers they must supply revenue, costs and sales data as it accelerates its review of fuel margins – the difference between what retailers pay for fuel and what they charge customers.

What the CMA Is Investigating

Juliette Enser, the CMA’s executive director for markets, said: “Whilst price increases might be inevitable because of rising wholesale costs, it is important that those increases reflect genuine cost pressures.”

She added: “We will be closely scrutinising and reporting on what’s happening with fuel prices and call out any concerning behaviour.”

The watchdog will examine how quickly pump prices change relative to wholesale costs, and whether there is evidence of “rocket and feather pricing” – where prices rise rapidly in response to cost increases but fall more slowly than necessary as retailers look to boost profits.

Chancellor Accuses Retailers of “Price Gouging”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has accused petrol retailers of exploiting the crisis, pointing to huge price variations between forecourts.

“Yesterday some petrol retailers were charging almost 180p a litre while others charged less than 130p a litre,” she said, vowing to meet companies this month “to get prices down at the pumps”.

That 50p per litre gap means some drivers are paying up to £25 more per tank than others – simply by filling up at the wrong station.

Where Prices Stand Now

According to the our latest Fuel Finder data, average UK fuel prices have hit their highest levels in more than 20 months:

• Petrol: 140.2p per litre
• Diesel: 158.9p per litre

Prices have increased by between 6p and 13p per litre since February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The cost of filling a 55-litre family diesel car has jumped by as much as £6.67 in just over a week.

Government figures published this week show petrol at 135.67p and diesel at 149.01p – with petrol up 3.5p in a single week and diesel surging 6.9p.

A History of High Margins

This isn’t the first time fuel retailers have faced scrutiny. In December, the CMA warned that fuel margins remained persistently high compared to historic levels – and that this could not be explained by retailers’ operating costs.

Prices at the pump increased rapidly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and have remained above pre-2022 levels ever since, even as wholesale costs fell.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “People have already been paying through the nose to fill up their car, as forecourts have jacked up their profit margins over a period of months.”

She added: “Last time oil prices went up, petrol stations raised their profits even more, so people are now worried that this could happen yet again, at an even greater scale. Fuel giants should not be allowed to treat families already struggling with the cost of living like cash cows.”

Why Shopping Around Has Never Been More Important

The Chancellor’s revelation that prices range from under 130p to nearly 180p per litre shows just how much variation exists between forecourts. During volatile periods like this, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive stations widens dramatically.

A quick price check before filling up could save you £10-25 per tank – far more than at any point in recent memory.

Use CheckFuelPrices to compare prices at stations near you. Our data comes directly from the government’s Fuel Finder Scheme, updated within 30 minutes of any price change – so you’re seeing current prices, not yesterday’s figures.

What Happens Next?

The CMA will publish its findings once it has analysed retailer data. Meanwhile, the Chancellor has committed to meeting fuel companies this month to discuss pricing.

Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel with the Middle East conflict showing no signs of resolution. Experts have warned that petrol could reach 150p and diesel 160p or higher if the situation continues.

For drivers, the message is clear: expect further price rises, shop around for every fill-up, and consider whether every journey is essential.

Report Price Discrepancies

Spotted a forecourt charging significantly more than competitors nearby? You can help by reporting prices on CheckFuelPrices. The more drivers share information, the harder it becomes for retailers to charge excessive premiums without being noticed.

Transparency is the best defence against price gouging – and every report helps.

With queues forming at petrol stations across the UK and some forecourts reporting temporary outages, we’ve launched a new crowdsourced feature to help drivers find stations that actually have fuel in stock.

You can now report and check real-time fuel availability at any station on CheckFuelPrices – helping fellow drivers avoid wasted journeys to pumps that have run dry.

How It Works

When you visit a petrol station, you can now report:

Fuel availability – Is petrol available? Diesel? Both? Neither?

These reports appear instantly on our fuel price map and station listings, so other drivers can see at a glance which stations have fuel and which to avoid.

Why We Built This

Government fuel price data tells you what stations are charging – but not whether they actually have fuel to sell. During periods of high demand, that’s the information drivers really need.

Our crowdsourced availability reports solve that problem. Before you set off, check which petrol stations near you have fuel in stock right now.

Finding Petrol Stations With Fuel Near You

If you’re searching for a petrol station with fuel near you, here’s how to use the feature:

1. Visit CheckFuelPrices.co.uk or open the app from your home screen

2. Enter your postcode or allow location access

3. View nearby stations – those with recent availability reports will show stock status

4. Check the timestamp to see how recent the report is

5. After you fill up, submit your own report to help others

Is There a Petrol Shortage?

No. The UK has no fuel shortage. National supplies remain stable and tanker deliveries are continuing as normal.

What we’re seeing is localised demand spikes – when lots of drivers try to fill up at once, individual stations can temporarily run dry before their next delivery arrives. This is a logistics issue, not a supply crisis.

The Government has confirmed there are no reported impacts to UK fuel supply. AA president Edmund King has advised drivers: “There is no need to break your refuelling routine.”

However, if you do need fuel and want to avoid queues or empty pumps, our availability checker helps you find stations with confirmed stock.

Petrol Station Stock Checker: Report What You See

The more drivers who contribute, the more useful this tool becomes. If you’ve just filled up – or found a station that’s run dry – take 10 seconds to submit a report.

You’re not just helping yourself next time. You’re helping NHS workers get to shifts, parents doing school runs, and delivery drivers keeping businesses running.

Every report helps build a real-time picture of fuel availability across the UK.

Which Petrol Stations Have Fuel Right Now?

Availability varies by area and changes throughout the day. Supermarket forecourts like Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons often see higher demand due to competitive pricing, meaning they can run dry faster during busy periods.

Lesser-known independent stations and branded forecourts in quieter areas may have shorter queues and better availability. Our fuel map shows all options near you, not just the big names.

Use the availability reports to find stations that have been confirmed in stock recently, and check queue reports to avoid long waits.

Tips for Finding Fuel During High Demand

Check before you travel – Don’t waste fuel driving to empty stations. Use our availability checker first.

Try off-peak times – Early morning or late evening often has shorter queues and better stock levels after overnight deliveries.

Look beyond supermarkets – Everyone heads for Asda and Tesco. Independent stations may have fuel when supermarkets don’t.

Expand your search radius – If stations near you are empty, check availability 5-10 miles out. A short drive could save hours of queuing.

Don’t fill up unless you need to – If you have half a tank, you probably don’t need to queue today. Panic buying creates the problem it fears.

Fuel Availability Near Me: Stay Updated

Bookmark CheckFuelPrices.co.uk or add it to your home screen for instant access to fuel availability reports in your area.

We’re updating station data constantly as drivers submit new reports. During periods of high demand, check back regularly – availability can change within hours as deliveries arrive and stock sells through.

Help Your Community

Seen a queue stretching down the road? Found a station with no wait and plenty of fuel? Spotted pumps bagged off with “no fuel” signs?

Report it. It takes seconds and helps thousands of other drivers make better decisions.

Together, we can take the guesswork out of finding fuel – and help everyone avoid unnecessary stress, wasted journeys, and empty tanks.

Check fuel availability near you now →

UK drivers should prepare for rising fuel prices in the coming weeks as conflict between the US, Israel and Iran sends shockwaves through global oil markets. Motoring groups are warning that petrol prices could reach record levels within days if the disruption continues.

Where Prices Stand Now

As of last week, average UK petrol prices sat at 131.71p per litre, with diesel at 141.46p. These figures represented a period of relative stability – petrol had barely moved (up just 0.1p) and diesel was unchanged week-on-week.

Year-on-year, drivers had been enjoying significant savings: petrol was 7.9p cheaper than February 2025, while diesel was down 5.4p. That calm now looks set to end.

What’s Happening?

Conflict has spread across the Middle East after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran on Saturday, which were followed by retaliatory Iranian strikes on targets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq. The country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a targeted attack on Saturday, and top officials have vowed not to negotiate with the United States.

The key concern for fuel prices is the Strait of Hormuz – the narrow passage that provides the only route from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, through which around 20 per cent of the world’s gas and oil is shipped.

At least three vessels near the Strait of Hormuz were struck by an “unknown projectile” over the weekend, according to the UK Maritime Trade Organisation. At least 150 tankers dropped anchor in the open Gulf waters beyond the strait on Sunday, suggesting significant disruption.

Iran has warned vessels not to pass through the strait, with international shipping coming to an effective standstill at the entrance to the passage.

How High Could Prices Go?

Between the evening of Friday 27 February and Sunday 1 March, the price of Brent crude oil rose from $73 to $80 per barrel – a rise of over 10 per cent.

AA president Edmund King has issued a stark warning. He predicted that petrol prices could return to levels last seen at the start of 2026, when a litre of petrol was an average of 135.7p, compared with as low as 131.9p last month.

That would represent a rise of around 4p per litre from current levels – adding roughly £2 to a 50-litre fill.

The RAC’s head of policy, Simon Williams, outlined the potential impact at different oil price levels: “If oil were to climb to and stay at the $80 a barrel mark, then drivers could expect to pay an average of 136 pence for petrol. At $90, we’d be looking at over 140 pence a litre and $100 would take us nearer to 150 pence.”

To put that in context: at 150p per litre, a 50-litre tank of petrol would cost £75 – nearly £10 more than the £65.85 it costs at today’s average prices.

The AA adds that volatility in the market combined with the planned reversal of the 5p fuel duty cut could push prices to 142.5p per litre – equal to the highest level registered before the pandemic.

The Fuel Duty Factor

Adding to concerns is the planned increase in fuel duty. The 5p-per-litre cut introduced in March 2022 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is being reversed. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced at November’s Budget that this would begin with a 1p increase in September this year, followed by 2p in December and the final 2p in March 2027.

If oil prices remain elevated when these increases take effect, drivers could face a double hit.

What Should Drivers Do?

Mr King said: “There is no need for drivers to break their refuelling routine. It takes time for cost increases to work their way through to the pump.”

With prices potentially varying by 20p or more per litre between stations during volatile periods, checking prices before you fill up becomes more important than ever.

How Long Will This Last?

The duration of any price spike depends entirely on how the conflict develops. Jorge Leon, senior vice president at energy intelligence firm Rystad Energy, said that if the strait was blocked, the resulting spike in oil prices could directly impact UK consumers.

He warned that Iran is “taking quite a hawkish approach at the moment” and added: “Even if Iran shows signs of de-escalation, it could take a few weeks for shipping to return to normal as traffic clears and operators remain hesitant to use the strait.”

It’s worth noting that despite increasing tensions, the price of oil remains well below the highs seen during Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine, when the cost of oil soared to $114 per barrel, rising a few months later to a peak of $119.

Government Response

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Government is monitoring the situation closely. The UK benefits from strong and diverse security of energy supplies. The Energy Secretary (Ed Miliband) spoke to the executive director of the International Energy Agency (Dr Fatih Birol) over the weekend.”

The spokesman added: “There are currently no reported impacts to UK fuel supply.”

What This Means For Your Wallet

Here’s how rising prices could affect the cost of filling a 50-litre tank:

Scenario	Petrol Price	Cost Per Tank	Increase vs Today
Current average	131.71p	£65.85	–
Return to January levels	135.7p	£67.85	+£2.00
Oil at $80/barrel	136p	£68.00	+£2.15
Oil at $90/barrel	140p	£70.00	+£4.15
Oil at $100/barrel	150p	£75.00	+£9.15
Worst case (with duty rise)	142.5p	£71.25	+£5.40

For drivers filling up weekly, even a return to January price levels would cost an additional £104 per year.

The Bottom Line

After weeks of stability and year-on-year savings, UK fuel prices are set to rise. The extent depends on how the conflict develops, but drivers should expect gradual increases over the coming weeks.

The best defence is to shop around – during volatile periods, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive stations in your area often widens significantly.

Want to add real-time fuel prices to your website? The CheckFuelPrices widget lets you embed live UK petrol and diesel prices in minutes – completely free, fully customisable, and powered by official government data.

Whether you run a news site, motoring blog, local community page, or business website, giving your readers instant access to fuel prices keeps them engaged and coming back.

Why Add a Fuel Price Widget?

Fuel costs affect everyone. With petrol averaging 131.60p and diesel at 141.46p per litre, drivers are actively searching for ways to save money at the pump. A fuel price widget on your site:

Increases engagement – Visitors check prices, bookmark your page, and return regularly for updates.

Adds genuine value – You’re giving readers useful, actionable information they can use immediately.

Requires zero maintenance – Prices update automatically every 30 minutes. Set it up once and forget it.

Costs nothing – The widget is completely free with no usage limits, no API keys, and no premium tiers.

Powered by Official Data

Since February 2026, all UK petrol stations must report prices to the government’s Fuel Finder Scheme within 30 minutes of any change. The CheckFuelPrices widget pulls directly from this official source, meaning your readers see accurate, current prices – not stale crowdsourced guesses.

Over 8,000 UK stations are covered, with more joining the scheme daily.

How It Works

Adding the widget to your site takes two minutes:

Option 1: JavaScript embed (recommended)

Add the script to your page:

<script src="https://checkfuelprices.co.uk/js/widget.js"></script>

Then place a container where you want the widget:

<div data-cfp-widget data-postcode="SW1A 2DR"></div>

→ Build this widget visually with the configurator

Option 2: iframe embed (for Wix, Squarespace, etc.)

If your platform restricts custom scripts:

<iframe
    src="https://checkfuelprices.co.uk/widget/embed?postcode=SW1A%202DR"
    width="100%"
    height="600"
    frameborder="0"
    title="Fuel Prices Widget"
></iframe>

→ Generate your iframe code with the configurator

That’s it. The widget appears with live prices for the specified location.

Fully Customisable

Tailor the widget to match your site and audience:

Location – Set a default postcode, city, or GPS coordinates. Perfect for local news sites covering specific areas.

Fuel type – Show E10 petrol, E5 super unleaded, diesel, or premium diesel. A motoring site might show all options; a logistics blog might default to diesel.

Sort order – Display by nearest station, cheapest price, or most expensive (useful for price comparison content).

Search radius – From 2 miles for urban areas to 50 miles for rural coverage.

Number of stations – Show 3 for a compact sidebar widget or up to 20 for a full-page feature.

Theme – Light, dark, or auto-match to your site’s colour scheme.

Brand filter – Show only specific brands like Tesco, Asda, Shell, or BP.

Search bar – Include it so visitors can search their own postcode, or hide it for a cleaner look.

→ Explore all options in the widget configurator

Example Configurations

For a local news site covering Manchester:

<div 
    data-cfp-widget 
    data-postcode="M1 1AE"
    data-limit="10"
    data-radius="10"
></div>

→ Customise this in the configurator

For a motoring blog sidebar (compact, no search):

<div 
    data-cfp-widget 
    data-postcode="London"
    data-show-search="false"
    data-show-filters="false"
    data-limit="5"
></div>

→ Customise this in the configurator

For a fleet/logistics site (diesel only, cheapest first):

<div 
    data-cfp-widget 
    data-postcode="Birmingham"
    data-fuel="B7"
    data-sort="price_low"
    data-radius="25"
></div>

→ Customise this in the configurator

For a national site (let users search their area):

<div 
    data-cfp-widget 
    data-search-first="true"
    data-limit="10"
></div>

→ Customise this in the configurator

Lightweight & Fast

The widget is built for performance:

Shadow DOM isolation – Styles won’t conflict with your existing CSS.

Lazy loading – Only loads when visible, keeping your page speed scores healthy.

Minimal footprint – No bulky frameworks or dependencies.

Your Core Web Vitals won’t take a hit.

Use Cases

News websites – Add a fuel price widget to your money, motoring, or local news sections. Update your weekly fuel price articles with live, embedded data rather than static screenshots.

Motoring blogs – Give readers practical value alongside your reviews and guides.

Local community sites – Show prices for your specific town or region.

Business websites – Fleet operators, delivery companies, and logistics firms can embed prices for quick driver reference.

Comparison sites – Add fuel prices alongside your existing financial or consumer tools.

Price tracking content – Embed the widget within articles about fuel costs, making your content more interactive and evergreen.

Technical Details

For developers who want more control, the widget offers a JavaScript API:

const widget = new FuelPriceWidget('#my-container', {
    postcode: 'SW1A 2DR',
    fuel: 'E10',
    theme: 'dark',
    limit: 10
});

// Update location dynamically
widget.setLocation(51.5074, -0.1278);

// Change fuel type
widget.setFuel('B7');

// Refresh data
widget.refresh();

→ Start with the visual configurator, then customise with the API

All Configuration Options

Attribute	Description	Example Values
data-postcode	Location to search	SW1A 2DR, Manchester, Leeds
data-coords	GPS coordinates	“51.5074, -0.1278”
data-fuel	Fuel type	E10, E5, B7, SDV
data-sort	Sort order	distance, price_low, price_high
data-radius	Search radius (miles)	1-50
data-limit	Stations to show	1-20
data-theme	Colour theme	light, dark, auto
data-brand	Filter by brand	Shell, BP, Tesco, Asda
data-show-search	Show search bar	true, false
data-show-filters	Show filter dropdowns	true, false
data-search-first	User enters location first	true, false

→ Configure all these options visually

No Catches

The widget is genuinely free:

• No usage limits
• No API keys required
• No mandatory attribution (though a link back is appreciated)
• No premium tier or paywalled features
• No ads injected into the widget

We built this to make fuel price data more accessible. The more sites embedding it, the more drivers benefit.

Get Started

Ready to add live fuel prices to your site?

1. Visit the widget configurator to build your widget visually
2. Copy the generated embed code
3. Paste it into your website
4. Done – prices update automatically

Need help integrating or have a feature request? Get in touch.

See It In Action