RAC Fires the Alarm on Fuel Pricing – Let’s Chat About Those 5p Litre Drops
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) is waving a red flag at big retailers, demanding they slash petrol prices by a tidy 5p per litre. Why? Because the wholesale cost of fuel has actually fallen, yet supermarkets are stuffing their wallets with extra margins.
What the Numbers Reveal
- Supermarket fuel margins hover around 14p per litre.
- That’s twice the long‑term average of just 7p per litre.
Simon Williams, RAC’s fuel spokesperson, says it’s a glaring inconsistency:
“Our analysis shows that despite the Competition and Markets Authority having found the drivers were being ripped off and the government acting on those findings, nothing really shifted. Drivers are still losing out as wholesale prices drop.”
Why Northern Ireland Looks Different
In Northern Ireland, where supermarkets don’t own the majority of petrol stations, prices are actually pulling their weight. Unleaded costs around 150p a litre and diesel about 157p a litre, which is a nice 5p under the UK average.
The 5p Duty Cut That Didn’t Make Its Way to Your Pump
It’s been 5p per litre for duty since March 2022, yet retail fronts aren’t reflecting that gain. According to RAC, margins have spiked companies wide. Retailers claim inflation is pushing costs up, but there’s a direct link between pump prices and consumer inflation—so keeping those gaps wide is only pushing inflation higher.
Simon warns:
“Drivers—and the Treasury—should be furious that this cut isn’t getting passed on. It’s a clear opportunity to keep inflation in check but manufacturers appear to be missing the memo.”
Bottom line: the RAC is calling on retailers to get their act together, stop lining up extra profits, and let common sense (and motorists) benefit from cheaper fuel.
