The AA and RAC have issued a crucial warning to every petrol and diesel driver amid fears fuel prices could skyrocket. The two motoring groups have both urged road users not to panic buy despite fuel costs surging by the day.
They urged road users to keep their existing fueling habits and not be sucked into buying more fuel out of fear. AA President Edmund King instead encouraged road users to adapt their driving style and cut back on trips to reduce the strain on their fuel tanks.
Edmund said: “Our suggestion is that drivers should not change their refuelling habits, but can consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel."
On Monday, the RAC issued the same message to road users, despite admitting that the situation was “looking increasingly bleak”.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “We encourage drivers to continue filling up as normal but to shop around for the best prices using apps like myRAC as there can be big local differences between forecourts. Driving fuel efficiently by avoiding harsh accelerating and braking and ensuring tyres are inflated to the right pressures can help eke out every last mile and save money.”
According to data from RAC Fuel Watch, the verge price of unleaded petrol has soared by 4.68p per litre since the start of the Iran conflict. Diesel costs have also dramatically increased with price rises of around 8.59p per litre in just more than a week.
Unleaded petrol was now being sold at an average of 137.51p per litre, with diesel priced at 150.97p per litre. However, this may be the start of price hikes, with experts at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit suggesting petrol prices could hit 170p per litre if oil hits $120 a barrel.
Mr Williams added: “Unleaded is almost certainly going to reach an average of 140p in the next week or so while diesel looks highly likely to climb to at least 160p a litre.
“The price of diesel is increasing more quickly now than at any point since the start of the Ukraine conflict. With oil at a sustained $100, petrol could rise towards 150p a litre - a price not seen since June 2024. Diesel could reach almost 180p, which would be a three-year high.”