UK diesel has reached a record 199.18p per litre, the RAC says, up 59p—nearly 40%—since the US-Iran conflict began at the end of February. Filling an average family car now costs £110, £31 more, as war-related supply disruption pushes fuel prices higher.
The conflict has disrupted wholesale oil production and transport across the region, while Russia’s diesel export ban, imposed after Ukrainian attacks on its refineries, has further limited international supplies. The UK relies heavily on diesel imports: its four refineries produce more petrol than the country needs but not enough diesel.
Petrol costs 174.13p a litre, 41p more than at the conflict’s start but below its 2022 peak. RAC policy head Simon Williams said higher costs would be passed to consumers who buy goods or services relying on diesel lorries and vans; he said pump prices would not fall until oil prices remained lower for several weeks.
