Regan Brown
The price of diesel fuel in England and the rest of the UK has been a concern for drivers, with prices rising and falling over time. In March 2024, diesel prices in the UK were recorded at 152.5 p/litre, with London recording the highest diesel price at 154.8 p/litre. More recently, on 2 June 2025, the price of diesel fuel in the UK was recorded at £1.38 per litre, higher than the world average of $1.12 per litre. The price of diesel fuel is influenced by various factors, including the global price of crude oil and the sterling exchange rate, which can lead to fluctuations in pump prices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd June 2025 |
| Price of diesel fuel in England | £1.38 per litre or $1.87 per litre |
| World average diesel price | $1.12 per litre |
| Average diesel price from 22nd June 2015 to 2nd June 2025 | £1.36 per litre |
| Minimum price during the above period | £1.00 on 1st February 2016 |
| Maximum price during the above period | £1.99 on 27th June 2022 |
| Factors affecting the price of diesel fuel | The global price of crude oil, the dollar to sterling exchange rate, and tax |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel prices in England vs the rest of the UK
The price of diesel fuel in England is influenced by various factors, including the global price of crude oil, the dollar-to-sterling exchange rate, refining processes, and taxation. As of January 6, 2025, the average price of diesel fuel in the United Kingdom was 143.3 pence per litre, with prices consistently higher than those of petrol or gasoline.
In the UK, motor fuel pricing is not regulated by a monitoring body, which can lead to notable differences in prices between retailers and regions. Diesel fuel prices can vary across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland, for example, has been reported to have the cheapest diesel prices in the UK, at 148.1 pence per litre.
The RAC's Fuel Watch initiative helps ensure that retailers across the UK's big four supermarkets and other brands charge fair prices. They monitor wholesale prices and pump prices daily, and when wholesale prices dip, they encourage retailers to pass on the savings to drivers.
The price of diesel fuel in England and the UK has historically fluctuated. For example, in February 2016, the average price of diesel fuel in the UK fell to 100.19 pence per litre due to extremely low oil prices. In recent years, the UK government has frozen fuel duty, which is charged on every litre of fuel sold, at 57.95 pence per litre. This duty rate was temporarily cut to 52.95 pence in 2022 due to the rapid increase in fuel prices caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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How diesel prices are affected by the global price of crude oil
The price of diesel fuel in England, as of January 6, 2025, was 143.3 pence per litre. This price is higher than that of unleaded petrol, which averaged 136.6 pence per litre.
Diesel prices are affected by the global price of crude oil, which is influenced by a range of factors, including:
- Supply and Demand: The worldwide demand for and supply of crude oil determines its price. The demand for petroleum products made from crude oil is influenced by global economic conditions. Diesel fuel, being a major transportation fuel, typically follows these economic trends. For instance, seasonal variations in demand for heating oil can impact diesel fuel prices, as both fuels are produced simultaneously.
- Geopolitics: Political events and decisions by organisations like OPEC can influence the price of crude oil.
- Global Market Fundamentals: These include inventories, seasonality, and financial market considerations.
- Refining Costs: The cost of refining crude oil into diesel and other products can vary seasonally and by region.
- Currency Exchange Rates: The strength of a country's currency against the US dollar can impact its ability to invest in crude oil contracts, thereby influencing the global price.
- Production and Imports: Reports on domestic oil production, imports, and consumption can cause fluctuations in crude oil prices.
- Economic Factors: The strength of a country's economy can impact the price of crude oil. A healthy economy typically leads to increased future demand.
- Local Market Conditions: Retail prices of diesel fuel can be influenced by local market conditions, such as competition among retailers and transportation costs.
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Why diesel prices are higher than petrol prices
In the UK, diesel prices are higher than petrol prices due to a combination of factors, including supply and demand, production costs, taxation, and market dynamics. Here are several paragraphs explaining why diesel prices are typically higher than petrol prices in the UK:
Diesel fuel is a less refined petroleum distillate compared to petrol. In theory, diesel should be cheaper because it costs less to produce. However, the laws of supply and demand play a significant role in diesel's pricing. Domestic refineries in the UK have often struggled to meet the demand for diesel, leading to increased imports from other countries. This dynamic drives up the price of diesel due to additional transportation and import costs.
Additionally, diesel requires complex additives for its refinement process, and these additives are expensive, further pushing up the price of diesel fuel. The UK government's "diesel tax" also contributes to the higher diesel prices. This tax was introduced to address the higher pollution levels associated with diesel vehicles, which release more nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter than petrol cars.
Market dynamics and profit margins of retailers also impact diesel prices. For example, at the end of the summer "driving season," retailers often have a surplus of petrol, leading them to drop petrol prices. In contrast, diesel demand can increase during the winter in continental Europe, where diesel is used in heating oil, further affecting pricing.
The strength of the pound sterling compared to the US dollar, as oil is traded in dollars, can also influence diesel prices in the UK. When the pound weakens against the dollar, it can lead to higher diesel prices. Lastly, taxes imposed by the government, which are generally higher for diesel than petrol, contribute to the overall higher price of diesel fuel in the UK.
These various factors collectively contribute to diesel prices being higher than petrol prices in the UK, and understanding these dynamics can help motorists make informed choices and explore cost-saving measures when fuelling their vehicles.
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The cheapest places to buy diesel in England
The price of diesel fuel in England and the UK more broadly can vary quite a bit, even over short distances. The RAC's Fuel Watch price monitoring initiative helps ensure that retailers charge a fair price at all the UK's forecourts. The wholesale price of diesel—which is affected by the global price of crude oil—is the primary factor influencing the price at the pump. Other factors include the sterling-dollar exchange rate, the frequency with which retailers buy their fuel, and the amount of tax levied by the government.
Because of these factors, it is difficult to say exactly which places are consistently the cheapest to buy diesel in England. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking for cheaper diesel. Firstly, large supermarkets or hypermarkets account for more than 40% of all motor fuel sales in the UK and often offer lower prices. Tesco and Sainsbury's, in particular, offer loyalty programs that can help you save money. Costco is another large retailer that offers fuel savings to its members.
There are also several apps that can help you find the cheapest diesel in your area. The PetrolPrices app and website allow you to compare fuel prices near you and offer a fuel map that tracks fuel prices across the UK. The RAC also offers a free app called myRAC that allows users to search for the cheapest fuel within a certain distance of their location. Confused.com also offers a similar service, although it requires an account with a limited number of weekly searches.
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How much diesel fuel costs in England compared to the world average
The price of diesel fuel in England is subject to change, influenced by factors such as the global price of crude oil and the exchange rate between the pound and the dollar. As of January 6, 2025, the average price of diesel in the United Kingdom was 143.3 pence per litre, which is higher than the price of petrol/gasoline. This price is significantly higher than the average price of diesel fuel in England in February 2016, which was 100.19 pence per litre.
While I could not find the world average for diesel prices, I can provide some context by comparing the UK's diesel prices to those of other countries. According to a 2023 source, the UK had the fourth-highest diesel prices in Europe, with prices in Italy, the Netherlands, and Finland exceeding those in the UK.
It is worth noting that diesel prices in the UK are not regulated by a monitoring body, which can lead to notable differences in prices between retailers and regions. Large supermarkets or hypermarkets account for over 40% of motor fuel sales in the country, often offering lower prices than other retailers.
The high cost of diesel in England compared to other countries is partly due to the tax levied on fuel. The tax, including fuel duty and VAT, can make up a significant portion of the total price per litre. This means that even when the cost of oil is low, the price of diesel may not decrease proportionally due to the fixed cost of taxes.
In summary, while the exact comparison to the world average is unknown, England's diesel prices are relatively high compared to other European countries and are subject to fluctuations based on global oil prices and exchange rates. The inclusion of taxes in the pricing contributes to the overall high cost of diesel fuel in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
The price of diesel fuel in the United Kingdom is £1.38 per litre or $1.87 per litre.
Diesel prices are consistently higher than petrol prices, although the margin varies.
The price of diesel fuel in England is influenced by the global price of crude oil and the exchange rate between the dollar and sterling.
The price of diesel fuel in March 2024 was £1.525 per litre, which increased to £1.539 per litre in April.
