Diesel prices in Birmingham have hit an all-time high, with the cost of a litre reaching £2 or more for the first time ever. Drivers across the city and the wider county are feeling the pinch as fuel costs continue to climb.
Why diesel prices are soaring
The surge is largely attributed to rising crude oil prices, driven by the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East. This has led to blockages of tanker ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. Around a quarter of the world’s petrol and oil supply passes through this strait.
The UK has sufficient unleaded petrol, but approximately half of the diesel used domestically is imported. This reliance on imports is partly due to a reduction in the UK’s refining capacity, which has fallen from nine refineries to just four in recent years.
Global factors and market impact
Another factor affecting supply is Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, which impact the global oil supply that Russia is involved in. Of the 50 per cent of diesel imported, 30 per cent comes from northern Europe and 30 per cent from the US. President Donald Trump is under domestic pressure to keep more diesel for the US home market.
In response, the G7 agreed to release up to 100 million barrels of oil and diesel reserves in a bid to stabilise prices, but the future price of the commodity remains uncertain.
Cheapest diesel prices in Birmingham
According to garage forecourt comparison site PetrolPrices.com, these are the cheapest diesel prices in Birmingham, within a five-mile radius as of Saturday, October 3 morning:
- 189.9p (Oct 2) – Costco, Heartlands Parkway, Nechells
- 192.6p (Sep 30) – Total Energies, Witton Road, Witton
- 196.2p (Sep 26) – Jet, Bordesley Road, Bordesley
- 197.9p (Oct 1) – Murco, Summer Lane, Newtown
- 197.9p (Oct 1) – Valero, Summer Lane, Newtown
- 197.9p (Oct 2) – Esso, Fox Hollies Road, Tyseley
- 197.9p (Oct 2) – Gulf, Franklin Road, Bournville
- 198.7p (Oct 2) – Asda, Small Heath
- 198.7p (Oct 2) – Asda, Barnes Hill
- 198.9p (Oct 3) – Morrisons, Small Heath
Cheapest unleaded prices for comparison
By way of comparison, these are the ten cheapest unleaded prices in Birmingham according to petrolprices.com for the same period:
- 164.9p (Oct 2) - Costco, Heartlands Parkway, Nechells
- 167.6p (Sep 28) - Total Energies, Witton Road, Witton
- 169.9p (Oct 1) - Jet, Bordesley Road, Bordesley
- 169.9p (Oct 2) – Jet, Alcester Road South, Kings Heath
- 169.9p (Sep 27) – Texaco, Alcester Road South, Kings Heath
- 170.9p (Oct 1) – Murco, Summer Lane, Newtown
- 170.9p (Oct 2) – Murco, Tyburn Road, Erdington
- 171.9p (Sep 27) – Texaco, Constitution Hill, Hockley
- 171.9p (Sep 3) - Valero, Summer Lane, Newtown
- 171.9p (Oct 3) – Texaco, Pershore Road, Moor Green
The price differences highlight the significant gap between diesel and unleaded, with diesel costing up to 30p more per litre at some stations. Drivers are advised to shop around for the best deals as prices continue to fluctuate.
