UK petrol prices have climbed for the fifth consecutive month, with the average cost of a litre of petrol reaching 139.65p in February, its highest level since last September, according to RAC Fuel Watch. Diesel prices also increased, rising by 0.73p to 146.48p per litre.
The cost of filling a family-sized petrol car has now risen to £76.81, nearly £3 more than in October when petrol was 134.33p per litre. A full diesel tank now exceeds £80, costing £80.56 on average—up more than £4 since last autumn.
Supermarkets are offering lower prices, charging 2.3p less per litre of petrol than the UK average (137.36p compared to 139.65p) and 2.6p less for diesel (143.91p compared to 146.48p). Some sites are significantly cheaper, with unleaded available for 127.7p in areas near Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Independent forecourts in Shropshire have been seen selling petrol at 126.9p and diesel at 135.9p.
Northern Ireland remains the cheapest region for fuel, with petrol averaging 132.9p per litre—7p lower than the rest of the UK—and diesel at 138.9p, more than 6p cheaper.
Pump prices rose as retailers faced higher wholesale costs due to oil reaching $82 a barrel in mid-January, driven by increased demand during the northern hemisphere’s cold snap and concerns about potential supply disruptions. However, oil and wholesale fuel prices have been falling in recent weeks, which could lead to lower pump prices.
RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: “It’s disappointing to see pump prices up yet again in February, with drivers now facing some of the highest costs at forecourts since the end of last summer. Motorists were the unfortunate casualties of rising wholesale prices through January, not helped by global oil prices hitting the $82-a-barrel mark in the middle of the month.
“But we hope better times are on the horizon. With wholesale fuel costs falling throughout February, there’s a good prospect petrol and diesel prices will come down this month as retailers buy fresh stock at lower prices. As always, it really does pay to shop around because pump prices at supermarket sites vary by as much as 13p a litre.”
