Fuel prices rise... in time for the summer getaway

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Wed, 06 Aug 2025

Fuel prices have risen for the second month running with drivers facing a near-2p a litre hike as they fill up for the summer getaway.

RAC Fuel Watch data shows that petrol had reached 135p a litre by the end of July, up by nearly a penny from the start of the month.

At 142.85p a litre, diesel prices rose by almost 2p a litre.

This is on top of respective petrol and diesel price increases of 2p and 3p a litre during the previous month.

Petrol is now at its most expensive point since mid-April, while diesel prices are the highest since March.

"Unfortunately, drivers heading into the busy summer holiday season will be met with rising fuel prices at the pumps," says RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams.

"While the average price of petrol for this year so far is just a couple of pence above the average for all of 2021, drivers are still meant to be benefitting from a 5p-a-litre discount which has been in place since the start of the Ukraine War in early 2022."

Supermarkets remain considerably cheaper than the UK average. At 131.5p a litre for petrol and 139p a litre for diesel, both are 4p a litre lower than the nationwide average.  

Northern Ireland is the cheapest place in the UK to buy fuel, at 128p a litre for unleaded and 134.5p a litre for diesel.

That’s just slightly more than membership-only fuel retailer Costco, which charges 125.6p a litre for petrol and 133.2p a litre for diesel. Costco has 20 forecourts across the UK.

"Our analysis of the difference between wholesale and retail prices shows retailer margins remain high, particularly on petrol," says Williams.

"This is emphasised by the fact that the average price of unleaded in Northern Ireland is 7p cheaper than the average across the UK.

Drivers may also see significant differences on forecourt totems from area to area, which can be very frustrating."

However, for those on the summer getaway, this could at least make for an interesting new in-car game – who can spot the cheapest fuel prices?

Ask HJ

Why is Shell V-Power so expensive?

Shell V-Power diesel at our local Shell station is now a massive 22p per litre more than the standard diesel at the same site. Why is this? Is there no control on what franchisees can charge? And are additives such as Redex Diesel Treatment a suitable alternative?

Shell V-Power Diesel is a premium fuel that has additional additives designed to promote engine longevity, reduce engine deposits and subsequently improve performance and economy. There is no independent testing to support its benefits, but anecdotally some owners find that their vehicles run better on this fuel. There are no price controls on UK petrol stations, other than the fact that in areas where there are a number of different retailers, anyone charging extortionate rates is likely to see a decline in footfall. As with premium fuels, there is very little independent testing around diesel additives, but again some owners have experienced good results. It is all a matter of what you are prepared to pay and if you feel that V-Power diesel is too expensive then a standard diesel and a fuel additive may be a suitable alternative.

Answered by David Ross

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