Retail prices for petrol and diesel rose for the second consecutive month in July, according to the RAC.
The average cost of a litre of unleaded was 135p last month, up almost a penny from 134.15p at the beginning of July. Diesel jumped 1.64p to 141.21p, over the same period. Supermarket prices averaged 131.5p and 139p for the two fuels, while Northern Irish drivers paid 128p and 134.5p for petrol and diesel. These increases follow June’s, which saw respective increases of 2p and 3p for petrol and diesel
The cost of filling an average family car stands at £74.26 for unleaded and £78.57 for diesel, according to the breakdown firm.
The RAC’s fuel spokesman, Simon Williams, says it is unfortunate that “drivers heading into the busy summer holiday season will be met with rising prices at the pumps”. He adds that despite the price rises, drivers are still receiving the 5p-per-litre fuel-duty discount that accompanied the start of the Ukraine war in early 2022.
Williams also remarked that his firm’s analysis of wholesale and retail prices “shows retailer margins remain high, particularly on petrol”.
