Rising fuel costs are placing increasing pressure on British drivers as diesel prices continue their upward trajectory.
New data reveals that national average diesel prices have reached 196.1p per litre, bringing the cost close to the record level of 199.1p recorded in July 2022.
Petrol costs have simultaneously climbed to 172.4p per litre.
Luke Bosdet, spokesperson for road fuel prices at the AA, explained the tax implications of these increases.
He noted that for every 6p added to pump prices, the Treasury receives an additional penny through VAT.
Current figures show petrol averaging approximately 172p per litre while diesel exceeds 196p per litre.
These represent substantial increases compared to the same period last year, when averages stood at 135p for petrol and 142p for diesel respectively.
The additional 37p currently being paid on petrol includes a 6p-per-litre contribution to VAT revenues, while diesel drivers are contributing an extra 9p per litre to government tax receipts.
The AA is urging the government to extend and enhance the existing fuel duty reduction.
The organisation has highlighted that small enterprises and rural communities dependent on diesel face the greatest burden from these increases.
Mr Bosdet indicated that a compelling case exists for providing additional relief for diesel, given that prices are approaching the all-time high set in mid-2022.
While larger corporations typically absorb increased fuel expenses through fuel surcharge mechanisms, smaller enterprises lack this automatic adjustment capability.
These affected businesses include taxi operators, skilled tradespeople, home repair services, veterinary practices, farriers, and numerous other professionals requiring vehicles to serve their customers.
The government currently applies a 5p-per-litre reduction to fuel duty, which translates to approximately 6p per litre at the pump when VAT is accounted for.
Proposals had been scheduled to terminate this reduction early in the following year, though escalating prices may necessitate a reconsidered approach.
However, Mr Bosdet cautioned that additional duty reductions might not result in immediate benefits for consumers at the filling station.
The extent to which retailers would pass on any further duty reduction, and the timeline for such transmission, remains uncertain.
Data compiled by PetrolPrices.com has identified the most economical locations for purchasing fuel across Sussex.
The lowest petrol prices were recorded at Texaco Newhaven and Sainsbury’s Newhaven, both at 163.9p per litre.
Sainsbury’s West Hove, Valero Portslade, and Jet Shoreham followed closely at 164.9p per litre.
For diesel, Texaco Newhaven and Sainsbury’s Newhaven offered the best value at 182.9p per litre, with Sainsbury’s West Hove and Valero Portslade at 184.9p per litre.
Tesco Extra Shoreham completed the top five at 185.9p per litre.
All these locations offer prices below the national average for both fuel types, demonstrating that more affordable options remain accessible despite the broader upward trend.
Motorists seeking to minimise fuel expenditure may consider reducing vehicle weight, accelerating efficiently through gears, and consolidating multiple short journeys into single longer trips where feasible.