Diesel drivers are facing what the RAC describes as “extraordinary” costs as average UK pump prices reach 200.01p per litre. According to Petrol Prices, the per-mile cost now varies significantly by vehicle type, with SUV diesel motors costing 21.6p per mile, while small and medium diesel cars cost 13p and 15p per mile respectively.
The price of a litre at UK forecourts has risen 40.5% since late February, when the Iran and US war erupted in the Middle East. The RAC motoring group said on Friday that the average price had reached 200.01p a litre, meaning the cost of filling up an average family car is now £110 – nearly £32 more than before the Iran war.
Per-mile costs by vehicle type
Petrol Prices has crunched the numbers for a small, medium, large and SUV diesel motor, with different per mile costs for each. A SUV diesel motor with a 40 miles per gallon (mpg) tank will now cost 21.6p per mile. Large diesel tanks, at 45 miles per gallon, face 20p costs. Mpg measures how far your car can travel on one gallon of fuel – the higher the number, the more fuel-efficient your vehicle is.
For an average 45mpg diesel car, the cost works out at an extraordinary 20p per mile, according to the RAC. This means a driver covering 10,000 miles a year is now spending £2,020 on fuel annually.
Impact on households and businesses
The RAC's Simon Williams said: “This will be very challenging for households and companies that drive a lot of miles, from commuters, haulage and delivery firms, businesses with large fleets all the way through to sole traders.” He added: “In a cruel twist, it’s diesel vehicles, which were once considered the most cost-effective option for lengthy journeys, that are now burning a hole in people’s pockets.”
Williams continued: “Households will be tightening the purse strings, while businesses may have no option but to pass these additional costs onto customers.”
Petrol prices also rise sharply
The impact is not limited to diesel. A 55-litre tank of petrol now costs £96.09 – £23.03 more than it did at the start of the US/Iran conflict. The RAC noted that the average price of petrol has also climbed, though diesel has seen the most dramatic per-mile increases.
With fuel costs now a significant burden for both households and businesses, the RAC warns that the knock-on effects could be felt across the economy, from higher delivery charges to increased commuting expenses.
