Why is diesel currently so expensive?

In these parts, diesel is now 9p or 10p a litre more than petrol. How on earth can this differential be justified? Surely at these prices it is only worth having diesel for very high mileage vehicles?

Asked on 3 March 2012 by CR, Hitchin

Answered by Honest John

Less diesel and heating oil can be refined from a barrel of crude than petrol and kerosene without employing some extremely expensive refining processes, which would put up the price substantially. It’s also winter, so the demand for heating oil has increased. The economics of supply and demand then decide the price.

Tags: diesels fuel prices

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