Why Diesel Is Now So Much More Expensive Than Petrol

Drivers across the UK have been hit with steep fuel price rises this month, with diesel climbing far faster than petrol. Since the conflict in the Middle East began on February 28, diesel prices have surged by 38.8p per litre, while petrol has risen by 19.2p, according to the RAC.

The UK average now stands at:

- Petrol: 152.83p per litre  

- Diesel: 182.77p per litre  

That’s a near‑30p gap — the biggest difference ever recorded.

Before the conflict, the gap was around 10p. Now it’s triple that, and analysts expect the divide to keep widening.

This isn’t the first time global instability has pushed up prices. During the height of the Ukraine–Russia war in 2022, UK fuel hit record levels:  

- 191.5p per litre for petrol  

- 199.09p per litre for diesel  

Today, diesel is once again rising faster.

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Why diesel is increasing more quickly than petrol

Several factors are driving the surge:

1. The UK relies heavily on diesel imports

The UK sources petrol and diesel from different parts of the world — and is far more dependent on imported diesel. Any disruption to global supply chains hits diesel prices harder and faster.

2. Diesel has more uses than petrol

Diesel isn’t just for cars and lorries. It’s also used for:

- Heating  

- Power generation  

- Aviation fuel  

- As a substitute for gas in some industries  

That wider demand pushes prices up when global supply tightens.

3. Diesel is more expensive to refine

Diesel is thicker and denser than petrol, and the refining process is more complex. When crude oil prices rise, diesel becomes disproportionately more expensive to produce.

4. Wholesale prices dictate what drivers pay

The RAC says pump prices are shaped by:

- Global crude oil prices  

- Refinery capacity  

- The pound–dollar exchange rate (fuel is traded in USD)  

- Distribution costs  

- Retailer margins  

- Fuel duty  

- VAT  

When wholesale diesel prices spike, forecourt prices follow quickly.

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Latest supermarket petrol prices

- Morrisons: 149.0p  

- Asda: 147.1p  

- Tesco: 147.1p  

- Sainsbury’s: 146.9p  

Latest petrol prices from other brands

- Essar: 149.9p  

- JET: 152.0p  

- Murco: 151.4p  

- Esso: 152.7p  

- Texaco: 152.6p  

- BP: 153.4p  

- Shell: 156.1p  

- Asda Express: 153.4p  

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Latest supermarket diesel prices

- Morrisons: 179.4p  

- Asda: 174.7p  

- Tesco: 175.1p  

- Sainsbury’s: 172.4p  

Latest diesel prices from other brands

- Essar: 179.9p  

- JET: 183.0p  

- Murco: 181.9p  

- Esso: 183.0p  

- Texaco: 184.3p  

- BP: 183.6p  

- Asda Express: 182.2p  

- Shell: 183.3p