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UK petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply since late February, increasing typical fill-up costs by £22 and £30 respectively, according to the source report. The report links the increase to the conflict in Iran and supply pressures; the outlook for prices remains uncertain. EV charging costs have changed less, though public rapid charging discounts are due to end.

UK petrol prices have risen 31% and diesel prices 41% since late February, raising the cost of a typical fill-up by about £22 for petrol cars and £30 for diesel cars, according to the source report. The increases are squeezing motorists’ budgets, while the report links the fuel market’s renewed volatility to the conflict in Iran and constrained supplies.

The report cites RAC Foundation fuel-price data and says diesel initially rose more sharply after the conflict began in late February. Prices eased over the summer and the gap between petrol and diesel narrowed, but both have since climbed again. Diesel is described as being at its highest price level since 2022. The supplied material does not give the underlying per-litre national averages or a precise date for that comparison.

It attributes diesel’s volatility to limited supply and strong global demand from haulage and shipping. It also says reports that US President Donald Trump is considering ending all US diesel exports could add pressure. That proposal is presented as a report about a possible action, not a confirmed policy decision.

For electric-car owners, the report says charging prices have been more stable. Zapmap data cited in the material shows off-peak home charging rose by 0.9p per kWh and slow public charging by 3p per kWh over the previous 12 months. Average rapid-charging prices recently fell after operator MFG introduced a temporary 25% discount on 1 July, reducing its price from 79p to 59p per kWh. The promotion is scheduled to end on 30 September.

Fuel Bills Vary by Car and Driver

Higher pump prices raise the cost of everyday travel and can affect household budgets, as well as businesses that depend on road transport. The size of the increase for an individual driver depends on annual mileage, fuel economy and local prices. The report’s estimate that a typical fill-up costs £22 more for petrol and £30 more for diesel gives a broad indication; it is not a forecast of every driver’s bill.

Fuel type alone does not determine which car costs less to run. The report says diesel models are often more efficient than petrol cars, but higher diesel prices can erase that advantage. Hybrids may be less exposed because their batteries can improve efficiency. Among the tested examples, the large diesel KGM Rexton’s monthly refuelling cost is estimated at just over £140 for 463 miles, up £40 since February. That is a model-specific estimate based on the report’s mileage assumption, not a typical cost for all diesel vehicles.

Electric-car costs depend heavily on the charging tariff and location. The report identifies off-peak home charging as the cheapest option among those discussed, with costs rising when drivers rely on public rapid chargers. A temporary discount or access to a lower-priced charger can change the average, so the recent fall in rapid-charging prices may not last after MFG’s offer expires.

How Prices Shifted Since February

The report describes a sequence of sharp increases after late February, a gradual easing over the summer, and a renewed rise more recently. It says the gap between petrol and diesel narrowed during the period when prices were falling. The source links the latest movement to expectations that the Iran conflict will continue, but offers no independent forecast or detailed account of the market’s supply flows.

Several policy and pricing details may affect running costs. The UK Energy Price Guarantee was due to rise on 1 October by less than 1%, according to the report. It also says a government-announced cut in VAT on domestic electricity, from 5% to 0%, was scheduled to start on 1 October and run until March 2027. Those dates and effects are reported in the supplied material and are not independently verified here.

Local pump prices can differ considerably. In a PetrolPrices.com snapshot dated 24 September 2026, the report found petrol at Costco in Watford for 161.9p per litre, at a nearby Asda for 164.7p, and at a Welcome Break service station on the M1 for 196.9p. The locations were within a 3.5-mile radius, though Costco’s price was available only to members. These are specific local prices from one date, not national averages.

““Petrol [has risen] 31% and diesel 41% since late February this year.””

— Source report, citing RAC Foundation data

Supply Risks and Price Outlook

The supplied report does not establish how long petrol and diesel prices will remain elevated or quantify how much of the increase is directly attributable to the Iran conflict. Its claim that prices are unlikely to fall soon is an outlook, not a confirmed market outcome. The duration and effects of the conflict, global supply conditions and demand from transport industries remain uncertain.

It is also unclear whether the reported US consideration of ending diesel exports will lead to any decision. The article provides no details about timing, scope or likely market impact. The national price levels and full methodology behind the percentage increases are not included in the supplied material, limiting comparisons beyond the figures it reports.

For EV drivers, the rapid-charging average may change when MFG’s discount ends, but the size of any change is not specified. The report also does not give a single typical charging bill: costs vary with tariffs, charging speed and the share of charging done at home.

Watch Pump Prices and Charging Tariffs

Motorists will be watching whether pump prices keep rising as the Iran conflict and supply conditions develop. Drivers can compare nearby station prices before filling up; the report notes that substantial differences can exist over short distances. Any comparison should account for access limits such as Costco membership and the extra distance needed to reach a cheaper station.

EV owners can track changes to home and public charging tariffs. The MFG discount is scheduled to end on 30 September, and the report expects average rapid-charging prices could move back toward earlier levels afterward. The stated VAT change for domestic electricity and the Energy Price Guarantee adjustment are both scheduled for 1 October, making those dates relevant to household charging costs.

Key Questions

How much have UK petrol and diesel prices risen?

The source report says petrol rose 31% and diesel 41% since late February 2026. It does not provide the national per-litre averages or a precise end date for those calculations.

How much more does a typical fill-up cost?

The report estimates that an average petrol car costs about £22 more to fill than in February, while an average diesel car costs about £30 more. Actual costs depend on tank size and the price paid.

Are electric-car charging costs rising at the same rate?

No such comparison is given. The report says prices have been more stable: over the previous 12 months, off-peak home charging rose 0.9p per kWh and slow public charging rose 3p per kWh. Costs vary by tariff and charger type.

Why are diesel prices described as volatile?

The report points to limited supply and high demand from haulage and shipping. It also mentions reports of possible US diesel-export restrictions, but no decision on such a policy is confirmed in the supplied material.

What can drivers do to reduce fuel costs?

Drivers can compare prices at nearby stations using services such as PetrolPrices.com, while accounting for membership rules and travel distance. The report’s Watford example shows that prices differed sharply among stations within 3.5 miles on 24 September 2026.

Source: rss