Three consecutive months of price reductions on the UK’s forecourts came to a crashing halt in February as both petrol and diesel went up.
Data from RAC Fuel Watch shows the UK average price of a litre of petrol increased by just under a penny (0.88p) to 120.42p by the end of the month while diesel climbed more than a penny (1.24p) to 129.88p.
Since the beginning of November 11p a litre came off the average price of unleaded, taking it from 130.61p to 119.60p at the end of January. Diesel also reduced, but not by as much, instead falling 8p a litre from 136.93p to 128.74p over the same period.
As a result of the February price rise, filling up an average 55-litre family car with petrol now costs £66.23 and with diesel £71.43.
The big four supermarkets only raised their prices slightly to 117p for unleaded (up 0.30p) and to 126.10p for diesel (up 0.48p). This was led by Asda, which after more than six weeks of keeping its prices the same, took the decision to pass on slight increases in wholesale prices to its customers.
The price rises were driven by a 5% jump in the price of oil which added $3 across the month taking the barrel price up to $65.13 by the close of February, although at one point it topped $67 – a price not seen since mid-November last year.
The increase in the price of crude has been driven by production cuts made by OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) in partnership with Russia.
From a driver’s point of view, the oil price increase was softened a little by a 2% strengthening of the pound against the dollar, which is important as fuel, like oil, is traded in dollars. The pound started the month at $1.30 and closed at $1.33.
The combination of the oil price rise and the slight strengthening of the pound led to the wholesale price of unleaded rising by under a penny (0.82p) a litre and diesel by 1.82p.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Drivers will be disappointed to see prices at the pumps going up again after enjoying three months of reductions.
“What they probably aren’t aware of is that retailers, who held off cuts for weeks when they were warranted, instantly raised their prices when they saw the wholesale price go up very slightly. This is unfortunately clear proof of the infamous ‘rocket and feather’ pricing strategy where prices go up like a rocket and fall like a feather.
“Even the cheapest supermarket fuel retailer Asda which held its average petrol price at 113.7p since mid-January flinched, adding more than 1.5p a litre in four days. It will be interesting to see if this comes off again as the wholesale price eased almost straightaway.
“Currently, retailers should actually be reducing their unleaded prices a little, but it remains to be seen whether they will pass on the savings to drivers on the forecourt. Based on their current track record you would have to say this seems unlikely.”
Regional fuel price variation
Regional average unleaded pump prices
London and the North East suffered the biggest rises in the price of unleaded, with 1.18p added on their forecourts. The South East had the dearest petrol at both the start and end of the month but only saw 0.71p go on to its average price. Wales saw the smallest increase and also had the cheapest petrol by the close of February.
Unleaded | 31/01/2019 | 28/02/2019 | Change |
---|---|---|---|
UK average | 119.60 | 120.42 | 0.82 |
London | 119.94 | 121.12 | 1.18 |
North East | 117.95 | 119.13 | 1.18 |
North West | 118.95 | 119.95 | 1.00 |
Scotland | 118.91 | 119.90 | 0.99 |
West Midlands | 119.41 | 120.32 | 0.91 |
East Midlands | 119.65 | 120.53 | 0.88 |
East | 120.37 | 121.10 | 0.73 |
South East | 120.62 | 121.33 | 0.71 |
Yorkshire And The Humber | 118.90 | 119.53 | 0.63 |
South West | 120.16 | 120.74 | 0.58 |
Northern Ireland | 118.56 | 119.08 | 0.52 |
Wales | 118.76 | 119.06 | 0.30 |
Regional average diesel pump prices
London also endured the greatest increase in the price of diesel and had the most expensive price by the end of the month with a litre going up by 1.53p to 130.67p. At 1.28.18p Northern Ireland had the lowest price diesel in the UK.
Diesel | 31/01/2019 | 28/02/2019 | Change |
---|---|---|---|
UK average | 128.74 | 129.88 | 1.14 |
London | 129.14 | 130.67 | 1.53 |
West Midlands | 128.51 | 129.83 | 1.32 |
East Midlands | 128.70 | 129.97 | 1.27 |
East | 129.14 | 130.34 | 1.20 |
Northern Ireland | 127.00 | 128.18 | 1.18 |
North West | 128.38 | 129.51 | 1.13 |
North East | 127.80 | 128.90 | 1.10 |
South East | 129.57 | 130.63 | 1.06 |
Scotland | 128.93 | 129.98 | 1.05 |
Wales | 128.27 | 129.29 | 1.02 |
Yorkshire And The Humber | 128.25 | 129.25 | 1.00 |
South West | 129.11 | 130.09 | 0.98 |
Green – cheapest/least; red – most expensive/most
Motorists can keep abreast of the latest fuel prices by visiting the RAC Fuel Watch webpage.
You might also like

How to save fuel – the ultimate guide
8 industry-expert tips for how to save fuel: looking at cruise control, the speed you drive, what gear you drive in and how much fuel you carry

Diesel fuel filters - what to do if yours is blocked
Diesel fuel filters play an essential part in keeping a vehicle’s fuel clean and the engine running at optimum performance. Learn more with the RAC.
Video

Euro 1 to Euro 7 guide – find out your vehicle's emissions standard
Use our Euro emissions standards checker for your vehicle. Find out what Euro engine emissions standard your car is, and what you have to pay.

Diesel particulate filters: everything you need to know about DPFs
Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are a complex but necessary addition to modern diesels, but what are they, what do they do, and how do you maintain them?

Petrol or diesel? Facts and quiz to help you choose
Petrol or diesel? We have made the age-old debate simple with all of facts laid out plus a handy driving quiz to further help you make the right decision
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10