The price of a litre of unleaded fuel has passed 150p across Britain’s forecourts after soaring over the past month on higher wholesale costs.
Despite scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in recent months over fuel sellers' alleged rocket and feather pricing methods, where falling costs take longer to be passed on to consumers than rising costs, petrol is now at its most expensive since January.
According to motor company RAC, a litre of unleaded cost an average of 150.66p on Tuesday, with supermarkets charging 147.21p, compared to 174.01p on the motorways.
A litre of diesel was priced at 152.51p across Britain’s forecourts meanwhile, falling to 149.49p at supermarkets, but rising to 174.41p on major roads.
RAC rival the AA tipped this month’s jump in wholesale prices were largely responsible for the increase in forecourt prices, though peak summer holiday season could also have played a part.
“Wholesale cost increases appear to have peaked for the moment but the fallout from the recent surge is still finding its way to the pumps,” AA spokesperson Luke Bosdet said.
“Pump prices at different forecourts don’t go up at the same rate and being able to locate one that lags behind the others takes some of the sting out of surging fuel costs.
“On the flipside, when wholesale costs are tumbling, being able to spot the fuel stations that are passing on the savings more quickly is handy.”