Average UK pump prices were 157.0 pence per litre for E10 petrol and 189.5 pence per litre for B7 diesel in the week of 21 April 2026, with both falling slightly from the prior week's peak according to RAC Fuel Watch and CheckFuelPrices weekly averages. Prices have eased after a record 43-day run of consecutive daily increases that began on 28 February 2026 when conflict broke out in the Middle East. Petrol is still 25.9p per litre higher than late February and diesel 49.8p per litre higher, with motoring groups warning that retailers are passing on wholesale falls more slowly than they passed on rises (the so-called rocket and feather effect). This live tracker page sets out the current pump averages, the wholesale environment, regional variation and the policy backdrop. Key figures at a glance
What are UK petrol and diesel prices todayAverage UK pump prices stood at 157.0 pence per litre for E10 unleaded petrol and 189.5 pence per litre for B7 diesel in the week of 21 April 2026, according to RAC Fuel Watch and CheckFuelPrices. Both averages fell slightly from the prior week, with petrol down 0.5p and diesel down 0.9p, marking the first reductions since late February. Prices vary substantially by retailer and region. Northern Ireland remains one of the cheapest UK regions to buy fuel with petrol around 150p per litre and diesel around 181p per litre, both notably below the GB averages. Some London forecourts charged over 200p per litre for petrol in early April. The RAC has reported price differences of more than 20p per litre between forecourts within a few miles. Filling a typical 55-litre family car tank now costs around £86.35 for petrol or £104.23 for diesel at average prices. The diesel tank cost is up by around £27 since late February, while the petrol tank cost is up by around £14. Why are UK fuel prices so high in April 2026The increase since late February is almost entirely driven by global crude oil prices following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict on 28 February 2026. Iran announced restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20 percent of the world's energy supply. Brent crude rose above $85 per barrel in the immediate aftermath and traded above $100 for several days during March and early April. Wholesale petrol and diesel prices, which retailers pay, rose by even larger amounts than the increases passed on at the pumps because the UK is heavily dependent on imported middle-distillate fuels, particularly diesel. Disruptions to Red Sea shipping have made supply tighter at the same time as demand has held up. The 32.5p per litre gap between diesel and petrol is one of the widest ever recorded and reflects the diesel-specific supply pressures. Diesel drivers are paying around £16.81 more per 50-litre tank than petrol drivers, a meaningful difference for high-mileage vehicles such as vans and HGVs. Will fuel prices come downRAC head of policy Simon Williams predicted in mid-April that pump prices would start to drop within a week as the temporary Middle East ceasefire took effect and Brent crude fell back below $100 per barrel. Wholesale fuel costs have followed crude prices lower, and the first reductions arrived in the week of 21 April with petrol down 0.5p and diesel down 0.9p. However, the rocket and feather effect, where retailers raise prices quickly when wholesale costs rise but reduce prices slowly when wholesale costs fall, may slow the pace of further reductions. The Competition and Markets Authority is monitoring forecourt pricing closely under the Fuel Finder scheme that launched in February 2026. Some analysts warn that £2.00 per litre for diesel is still possible if Middle East tensions escalate again. Conversely if the ceasefire holds and wholesale costs continue to fall, both petrol and diesel could drop several pence per litre over the next month. What is the fuel duty positionFuel duty is currently 52.95 pence per litre on petrol and diesel, including the temporary 5 pence per litre cut that was first introduced in March 2022 and has been extended several times. The current cut runs until the end of August 2026, after which fuel duty will gradually rise back to its pre-2022 level of 57.95 pence per litre by March 2027. VAT is then added at 20 percent on the combined unit price plus duty, so for every 100 pence per litre at the pump, around 27 pence is duty and around 17 pence is VAT before any of the price reaches the retailer or the wholesale market. Together, duty and VAT make up around 44 percent of the pump price at current levels. The Treasury collects around £25 billion per year in fuel duty according to OBR figures, making it one of the larger sources of government revenue from motorists, alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. How can I find the cheapest fuel near meSince February 2026 all UK fuel retailers are required to report their pump prices within 30 minutes of any change under the Competition and Markets Authority Fuel Finder scheme. The data is freely available through several apps and websites, allowing drivers to find the cheapest forecourt within a chosen radius. The most widely used tools are the myRAC app, PetrolPrices.com, the Government Fuel Finder service and the AA Smart Fuel app. All draw from the same retailer-reported data and allow searches by postcode, fuel type and brand. Saving 5p per litre on a 50-litre fill is £2.50, and savings of 10p or more per litre between nearby forecourts are common. Supermarket forecourts (Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco) are typically the cheapest in any region, though independent retailers can match or beat them in some areas. Motorway service stations are typically the most expensive, often 15p to 25p per litre higher than nearby supermarkets. UK fuel prices by date and fuel type, 2026 to date
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or immigration advice. Always verify with official sources before making decisions. Frequently asked questionsHow much is petrol in the UK today?The average UK pump price for E10 unleaded petrol was 157.0 pence per litre in the week of 21 April 2026, according to RAC Fuel Watch and CheckFuelPrices weekly averages. How much is diesel in the UK today?The average UK pump price for B7 diesel was 189.5 pence per litre in the week of 21 April 2026, according to RAC Fuel Watch and CheckFuelPrices weekly averages. Why is diesel so much more expensive than petrol?Diesel is currently 32.5 pence per litre more expensive than petrol, one of the widest gaps ever recorded. The UK relies heavily on imported diesel and middle-distillate fuels, and Red Sea shipping disruption combined with the Middle East conflict has tightened supply more for diesel than for petrol. Will UK fuel prices come down in 2026?Wholesale fuel costs have started to fall as the Middle East ceasefire holds and Brent crude has dropped below $100 per barrel. Petrol fell 0.5p and diesel fell 0.9p in the week of 21 April. Further reductions are likely if wholesale costs continue lower, although retailers tend to pass on falls more slowly than rises. How much fuel duty is in a litre of petrol?Fuel duty is 52.95 pence per litre on petrol and diesel, including the temporary 5 pence cut that runs until the end of August 2026. After August the duty will rise gradually back to 57.95 pence per litre by March 2027. Where can I find the cheapest fuel near me?Since February 2026, all UK fuel retailers must report pump prices within 30 minutes under the Competition and Markets Authority Fuel Finder scheme. The myRAC app, PetrolPrices.com, the Government Fuel Finder service and the AA Smart Fuel app all use this data. How much does it cost to fill a 55-litre car tank?At average April 2026 prices, filling a 55-litre tank costs around £86.35 for petrol or £104.23 for diesel. That is roughly £14 more for petrol and £27 more for diesel compared with late February 2026. Sources and verification |
UK Petrol and Diesel Prices Today: Live Pump TrackerUK fuel price tracker. Petrol 157.0p, diesel 189.5p per litre week of 21 April 2026. RAC Fuel Watch and CMA Fuel Finder data. 
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