Current Prices: Petrol 132.64p/L | Diesel 141.82p/L
The Good News: Modest Relief at the Pumps
UK drivers saw a small reprieve this week, with both petrol and diesel dropping 0.8 pence per litre. While this won’t dramatically impact your wallet on a single fill-up (saving roughly 40-50p on a typical tank), it represents a continuation of the downward trend we’ve seen since the summer peaks.
Year-on-Year: Real Savings Are Here
The more significant story is the annual comparison. Petrol is down 4.3p per litre compared to last January – that’s a saving of £2.15 on a 50-litre tank, or around £110 per year if you fill up weekly. Diesel drivers are seeing smaller savings at 2.5p per litre, equating to £1.25 per tank or roughly £65 annually.
The Diesel Premium Problem
Diesel now costs 9.18p more per litre than petrol – the widest gap we’ve seen in recent months. For context:
- A 50-litre diesel fill costs £4.59 more than the same amount of petrol
- Traditional diesel fuel economy advantages (roughly 10-15% better MPG) are being eroded
- If you’re doing under 15,000 miles annually, petrol might now be more economical
Looking Ahead
The chart shows relative stability over the past year, with prices oscillating in a fairly narrow band. Without significant geopolitical disruptions or policy changes, expect continued stability with gradual weekly fluctuations. The government’s duty rate remains unchanged at 52.95p per litre for both fuels.
Leave a Reply