23rd Mar 2026 14:18
(Alliance News) - Diesel prices have hit a three-year high, latest figures show.
The average price of unleaded has now risen more than 14p a litre to 147.19p since the end of February, adding GBP8 to the cost of filling up a family car which currently stands at GBP81, the RAC said.
Petrol prices were last this high in early June 2024, it added.
For drivers of diesel vehicles, the situation is "far worse" with a litre up 29p to 171.17p, its highest price since mid-January 2023.
This means a tank now costs GBP94, GBP16 more than it did at the start of the Middle East conflict.
RAC Head of Policy Simon Williams said: "Given how many rely on their cars, households are really feeling the effects of the conflict in the Middle East.
"As a barrel of oil has been trading well over 100 dollars for the last three days and looks set to remain at that level, drivers are in for a rough ride at the pumps in the run-up to the Easter break with no end to price increases in sight.
"With the price of petrol likely to go above 150p a litre in the next week and diesel heading to 180p, it's looking like it will be the most expensive Easter on the roads since the early days of the war in Ukraine in 2022."
By Josie Clarke, Press Association Consumer Affairs Correspondent
source: PA
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