UK diesel prices have crossed £2 a litre for the first time, hitting an average of 200.01p per litre, according to the RAC motoring group. Petrol prices have also climbed to 174.71p per litre on average. The RAC said price rises show no signs of slowing.
The cost of filling an average diesel car now reaches £110, up nearly £32 since February. A typical petrol fill costs £96.09, up £23.03 in the same period.
Multiple global factors are driving the increase. The Iran war has disrupted oil production and transportation from the region over the past seven months. Ukrainian attacks on Russian refiners have constrained world diesel supplies further. China has also restricted exports of refined fuels. Over half of UK diesel is imported. Less than a third of those imports come from the US, representing roughly 17% of total UK supply.
RAC policy head Simon Williams called £2 a litre "a price threshold no one wanted to cross." He warned the increase will be "very challenging for households and companies that drive a lot of miles, from commuters, haulage and delivery firms, businesses with large fleets all the way through to sole traders."
The impact extends beyond drivers. Mark Means, a Norfolk farmer with over 50 years of experience, said he was "frightened to death" by rising diesel costs. He spent £50,000 on new diesel tanks to secure supply for harvesting and planting, but rising prices are cutting into his margins. "It feels like it's an assault," he said.
Driving instructor Steven Tompkins in Leicester said rising fuel prices force him to increase lesson fees. "When you've got kids who are working part time, they're on a tight budget and we're telling them that the prices are going to have to go up because of the fuel, it's hurting," he said.
On Friday, the G7 agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil to prevent further price increases. Member nations also committed not to impose export restrictions on each other, reversing US President Donald Trump's earlier threat to ban American diesel shipments abroad, a move that would have pushed up global prices.
A UK government spokesperson said the country has "a diverse and resilient supply" and stressed there is no cause for concern about potential diesel shortages.