UK Fuel Price May 2026: Latest RAC Fuel Watch Data
TL;DR: RAC Fuel Watch data for the week ending 5 May 2026 shows UK average unleaded at 138.4p/litre, diesel at 145.7p/litre, super unleaded (E5) at 146.8p/litre, and LPG at 91.4p/litre. Both unleaded and diesel declined approximately 1.2-1.5p over the prior month, tracking eased Brent crude prices. Supermarkets priced 3-5p below the UK average; motorway service stations priced 18-25p above.
RAC Fuel Watch Data Methodology
RAC Fuel Watch monitors UK fuel prices through its data partner Fuel Prices Online, sampling approximately 8,500 forecourts daily. The weekly UK average is volume-weighted using fuel sales data, ensuring high-volume sites contribute proportionally to the headline figure. Data is published weekly on Monday afternoons covering the prior week's pricing.
The data set excludes private commercial fuel sites and small independent forecourts that do not transmit pricing data automatically. RAC estimates 80%+ of UK retail fuel volume is covered by the monitoring network. Comparable data is published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero monthly with a similar methodology.
Week-by-Week Fuel Price Change (March-May 2026)
| Week ending | Unleaded (p) | Diesel (p) | Brent crude ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 March 2026 | 140.8p | 148.3p | $83 |
| 10 March 2026 | 140.5p | 148.0p | $82 |
| 17 March 2026 | 140.1p | 147.7p | $80 |
| 24 March 2026 | 139.7p | 147.3p | $79 |
| 31 March 2026 | 139.4p | 147.0p | $77 |
| 7 April 2026 | 139.3p | 146.8p | $76 |
| 14 April 2026 | 139.0p | 146.4p | $75 |
| 21 April 2026 | 138.8p | 146.1p | $74 |
| 28 April 2026 | 138.6p | 145.9p | $74 |
| 5 May 2026 | 138.4p | 145.7p | $74 |
Pump price data from RAC Fuel Watch weekly publications. Brent crude is the front-month ICE contract settlement price for the week-ending Friday. The 4-6 week lag between crude movement and pump price is visible in the trend.
Why Pump Prices Lag Crude Movements
Several factors create the lag between crude oil price changes and UK pump prices: refining and distribution take 2-4 weeks; retailers adjust prices weekly or fortnightly, not daily; competition dynamics influence whether falling wholesale costs are passed through quickly or absorbed as margin expansion. The CMA's July 2024 fuel market study noted retailer margins on fuel had expanded by 3-4p/litre versus pre-2022 levels.
Going up, retailers tend to pass through wholesale cost increases within 1-2 weeks; coming down, the pass-through can take 4-6 weeks. This asymmetry has been a focus of Competition and Markets Authority scrutiny since 2023, with calls for greater retail price transparency.
Comparison to Other UK Fuel Price Sources
The AA's monthly Fuel Price Report covers similar ground to RAC Fuel Watch with broadly consistent data (within 0.3p/litre on weekly UK averages). The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes an official monthly UK average derived from a separate retail survey. Petrolprices.com provides crowdsourced pricing data at site level useful for finding cheapest local fuel.
The Competition and Markets Authority is overseeing the implementation of an open fuel price data scheme with data published from 2026, intended to enable real-time price comparison. As of May 2026 the scheme is in pilot phase with full implementation pending.
FAQ: UK Fuel Prices May 2026
What is the current UK average unleaded petrol price?
RAC Fuel Watch reported a UK average unleaded petrol price of 138.4p/litre for the week ending 5 May 2026. AA Fuel Price Report data for the same period was within 0.3p of this figure.
Where can I find cheapest fuel near me?
Petrolprices.com provides crowdsourced UK fuel pricing at individual forecourt level. The forthcoming CMA-mandated open fuel price data scheme will provide official real-time pricing data once fully implemented in 2026.
Has fuel duty changed in 2026?
No. Fuel duty remains at 52.95p/litre on unleaded petrol and diesel, with the temporary 5p cut introduced in March 2022 maintained in successive Budgets including the Spring Budget 2026 (11 March 2026 announcement). The standard rate (without the cut) would be 57.95p.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Prices verified via RAC Fuel Watch weekly data 5 May 2026; AA Fuel Price Report May 2026; ICE Brent crude futures settlements; CMA fuel market study July 2024; Spring Budget 2026 fuel duty announcement.
UK Fuel Price May 2026: Latest RAC Fuel Watch Data
TL;DR: RAC Fuel Watch data for the week ending 5 May 2026 shows UK average unleaded at 138.4p/litre, diesel at 145.7p/litre, super unleaded (E5) at 146.8p/litre, and LPG at 91.4p/litre. Both unleaded and diesel declined approximately 1.2-1.5p over the prior month, tracking eased Brent crude prices. Supermarkets priced 3-5p below the UK average; motorway service stations priced 18-25p above.
RAC Fuel Watch Data Methodology
RAC Fuel Watch monitors UK fuel prices through its data partner Fuel Prices Online, sampling approximately 8,500 forecourts daily. The weekly UK average is volume-weighted using fuel sales data, ensuring high-volume sites contribute proportionally to the headline figure. Data is published weekly on Monday afternoons covering the prior week's pricing.
The data set excludes private commercial fuel sites and small independent forecourts that do not transmit pricing data automatically. RAC estimates 80%+ of UK retail fuel volume is covered by the monitoring network. Comparable data is published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero monthly with a similar methodology.
Week-by-Week Fuel Price Change (March-May 2026)
| Week ending | Unleaded (p) | Diesel (p) | Brent crude ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 March 2026 | 140.8p | 148.3p | $83 |
| 10 March 2026 | 140.5p | 148.0p | $82 |
| 17 March 2026 | 140.1p | 147.7p | $80 |
| 24 March 2026 | 139.7p | 147.3p | $79 |
| 31 March 2026 | 139.4p | 147.0p | $77 |
| 7 April 2026 | 139.3p | 146.8p | $76 |
| 14 April 2026 | 139.0p | 146.4p | $75 |
| 21 April 2026 | 138.8p | 146.1p | $74 |
| 28 April 2026 | 138.6p | 145.9p | $74 |
| 5 May 2026 | 138.4p | 145.7p | $74 |
Pump price data from RAC Fuel Watch weekly publications. Brent crude is the front-month ICE contract settlement price for the week-ending Friday. The 4-6 week lag between crude movement and pump price is visible in the trend.
Why Pump Prices Lag Crude Movements
Several factors create the lag between crude oil price changes and UK pump prices: refining and distribution take 2-4 weeks; retailers adjust prices weekly or fortnightly, not daily; competition dynamics influence whether falling wholesale costs are passed through quickly or absorbed as margin expansion. The CMA's July 2024 fuel market study noted retailer margins on fuel had expanded by 3-4p/litre versus pre-2022 levels.
Going up, retailers tend to pass through wholesale cost increases within 1-2 weeks; coming down, the pass-through can take 4-6 weeks. This asymmetry has been a focus of Competition and Markets Authority scrutiny since 2023, with calls for greater retail price transparency.
Comparison to Other UK Fuel Price Sources
The AA's monthly Fuel Price Report covers similar ground to RAC Fuel Watch with broadly consistent data (within 0.3p/litre on weekly UK averages). The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes an official monthly UK average derived from a separate retail survey. Petrolprices.com provides crowdsourced pricing data at site level useful for finding cheapest local fuel.
The Competition and Markets Authority is overseeing the implementation of an open fuel price data scheme with data published from 2026, intended to enable real-time price comparison. As of May 2026 the scheme is in pilot phase with full implementation pending.
FAQ: UK Fuel Prices May 2026
What is the current UK average unleaded petrol price?
RAC Fuel Watch reported a UK average unleaded petrol price of 138.4p/litre for the week ending 5 May 2026. AA Fuel Price Report data for the same period was within 0.3p of this figure.
Where can I find cheapest fuel near me?
Petrolprices.com provides crowdsourced UK fuel pricing at individual forecourt level. The forthcoming CMA-mandated open fuel price data scheme will provide official real-time pricing data once fully implemented in 2026.
Has fuel duty changed in 2026?
No. Fuel duty remains at 52.95p/litre on unleaded petrol and diesel, with the temporary 5p cut introduced in March 2022 maintained in successive Budgets including the Spring Budget 2026 (11 March 2026 announcement). The standard rate (without the cut) would be 57.95p.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Prices verified via RAC Fuel Watch weekly data 5 May 2026; AA Fuel Price Report May 2026; ICE Brent crude futures settlements; CMA fuel market study July 2024; Spring Budget 2026 fuel duty announcement.
