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Mon, 28 Sep 2026

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 UK diesel price hits all-time high, the RAC says

The US-Israel war with Iran has caused fuel prices to soar due to disruption of global oil supplies.
The price of diesel fuel has reached an all-time high of 199.33p per liter, with petrol prices also rising to 174.23p per liter. The RAC motoring organization attributes this surge to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil production and transportation. Since the conflict began, diesel prices have increased by 59p per liter (around 40%) and filling an average family car with diesel now costs £110, up from £79 at the start of the conflict. The previous record for diesel prices was set in June 2022 at 199.09p per liter following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Petrol prices are also higher than they were at the start of the conflict but have yet to reach their 2022 peak. According to RAC data, which is based on average prices at supermarkets, motorway service stations, and independent retailers, the UK is heavily reliant on imports for diesel fuel. The country's four refineries produce more petrol than needed but do not produce enough diesel to meet demand. Diesel is harder to refine than gasoline, and reduced supply has driven up costs. The RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, warned that record diesel prices will have a ripple effect across the economy, increasing costs for businesses and consumers alike. "These increased costs will be passed on to consumers," he said.