Brits Pay the Biggest Tag on Diesel in Europe – And No One’s Cutting Prices!
According to a recent study by RAC, motorists in the UK are footing the biggest bill for diesel on the continent. The average price is 155p per litre, which tops the charts by a respectable 5–10p above the cost in Belgium and Ireland – the only other countries that are nearly as pricey.
Why Are Prices So High?
RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams gave us the lowdown on the numbers that matter:
- Margin on diesel: 18p – that’s 10p above the long‑term average.
- Petrol margin: 13p – equally, it’s way higher than what we’d expect.
Williams said the “average retail price should really be lower, around 145p, if petrol stations were playing fair.” The experts are calling the high margins “shocking.”
Competition Spotlights
Surprisingly, Northern Ireland is beating the UK by about 10p on diesel and 6p on petrol because it has more competition – no supermarket dominance. There, diesel averages 144.9p and petrol 142.4p.
Hope on the Horizon
Good news: The new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act is now law. It gives the Competition and Markets Authority a fresh power to track fuel prices closely and flag any shady practices. Williams hinted that this could spell fairer prices in the future.
What’s Next?
Keep your eyes on the pump – the battle for cheaper fuel has just begun. If you’re craving a cheaper litre, remember: competition might just be the best thing that can happen to your wallet.
