The major supermarkets are going toe-to-toe on the forecourt today (29th) as they drop fuel prices by two pence per litre.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda have all announced price cuts, with the strengthening pound against the dollar cited as the key driver behind the move. The cuts will also be an attempt to bolster declining supermarket fuel sales reported in recent months. 

Asda is positioning the cuts as a ‘new national price cap’, which means drivers filling up at any of its 234 forecourts will pay no more than – 126.7 ppl on unleaded and 129.7 ppl on diesel.

Andy Peake, Asda’s petrol director said: “We’re giving our customers and holiday makers the opportunity to fill up their cars with some of the cheapest fuel prices in the market for years, putting much needed cash back in their pockets as the summer holidays begin. A full tank of fuel now costs £5 less than last summer and our national price cap benefits everyone across the country, meaning that no-one filling up at Asda will be forced to pay a premium for their fuel because of where they live.”

He said the cuts means customers can benefit from a three-year low on diesel prices, which have fallen below 130ppl mark - not seen since January 2011. Asda aims to offer the lowest priced fuel week in week out without any confusing promotions, leaving the tricks, gimmicks and lock-ins to others.

Avishai Moor, Sainsbury’s head of fuel, said: “Fuel is a big part of the weekly budget for many households so we hope this cut will be welcomed by drivers across Britain. Together with our latest fuel offer, where customers can save up to 10p off a litre when they spend £60 in store, Sainsbury’s customers can make big savings on fuel this summer.”

Tesco’s 2ppl cut is in addition to savings customers can make through Fuel Save, according to Tesco fuel director Peter Cattell: “As Britain’s biggest fuel retailer this means more motorists can make real savings. We also offer Clubcard points and savings through Clubcard Fuel Save, which saves our customers up to 20ppl. Customers have until the end of July to use their Fuel Save points from June.”