The gap between the price of a litre of unleaded and diesel has extended to almost 17p, which is a record difference and means the average cost of filling the tank of a diesel car is around £9 more expensive than an equivalent petrol.
According to RAC Fuel Watch, the UK average price for petrol is 163p per litre compared to 180.2p for diesel – a 17.2p per litre gap – the largest since records started in June 2003.
Swindon’s cheapest petrol station sees a gap of 12.2p per litre so maybe there is a further increase to come.
Steve Gooding, the RAC Foundation’s director, said: ‘In part, the huge gap is the product of a dip in global demand for petrol following the end of the so-called driving season in the United States.
‘But more significant is the rising global demand for diesel which is not only used as a road fuel but also, especially in continental Europe, as a method of heating and power generation and as a substitute for gas.
‘Given that supplies from Russia have been cut back because of the war in Ukraine, this means there are a lot of people chasing less stock.
‘The bad news for UK diesel drivers – and the diesel-truck-dependent UK freight industry – is that, with winter only just starting and the war in Ukraine showing no sign of ending, the sizeable gap between diesel and petrol pump prices is likely to continue for several months to come even if the cost of oil drops.’
Where are the cheapest places to buy unleaded and diesel in Swindon?
Unleaded
Applegreen (Oasis) 159.8p
Tesco Extra 159.9p
Breeze (Old Town) 159.9p
Sainsbury’s Stratton 159.9p
Shell (South Marston) 159.9p
Diesel
ASDA (Orbital) 172.0p
Applegreen (Oasis) 178.8p
Breeze (Old Town) 178.9p
ASDA (West Swindon) 179.7p
Tesco Extra 179.9p
