By DAVID CHURCHILL, CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
Pump prices rocketed at a record rate last month amid the Iran war, analysis shows.
Average petrol prices surged by 20p a litre in March while diesel soared by a staggering 40p.
It means the cost of filling up the average 55-litre tank in a family car rose £11 for petrol and £22 for diesel between 1 and 31 March.
And in a further blow to millions of families looking to hit the road for the great Easter getaway this weekend, prices look set to spiral further.
Last month's surges are the biggest on record and larger than monthly increases sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, although pump prices haven't reached as high yet.
It highlights the scale of the hammering drivers have faced at the pumps over the last month, sparked after the Iran war broke out on February 28 and by Tehran's retaliatory blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has squeezed Western oil supplies.
Separate data shows drivers have collectively shelled out nearly £600million more than they would have done if pump prices had remained the same level before the conflict broke out.
In turn, it means Chancellor Rachel Reeves has netted around £100million in extra VAT receipts because of higher prices.
Drivers are now on average paying £22 more to fill their tank with diesel and £11 with petrol than before the Iran war started
AA president Edmund King said drivers can save up to £10 a tank by changing their driving style
However, despite growing calls, Labour is refusing to axe its planned fuel duty hike which will add another £3 to the cost of a fill-up from this September.
Amid the failure to announce any help for hard-pressed drivers, the AA said drivers should consider reducing their speed by 10 per cent to save fuel and up to £10 a tank.
The motoring group said slowing down by that amount 'improves fuel efficiency' while still 'keeping up with the flow of traffic'.
It also advised motorists to avoid 'continuous harsh braking' by anticipating traffic lights, roundabouts and changing traffic flow.
The RAC's Simon Williams said: 'March has been truly unprecedented – fuel prices have never risen this fast in a single month.
'But while this is the biggest pence-per-litre increase ever in a month, it's not as great in real terms as those seen during the 1973 oil crisis when the price of a barrel quadrupled.
'The increases drivers have had to endure in March 2026 far exceed those seen in the early days of the war in Ukraine.
'With long-term RAC research showing eight-in-10 people are dependent on their vehicles, these costs must really be taking their toll on both households as well as businesses.'
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AA president Edmund King said: 'It is well worth drivers adapting their driving style and speed both to save money and enhance safety.
'We estimate that diesel drivers can save £10 per tank by changing their driving style.'
According to the RAC analysis, unleaded rose from 132.83p a litre to 152.83p last month, while diesel jumped from 142.38p to 182.77p.
The previous record monthly jump for unleaded was June 2022, when it soared by 16.6p a litre from 174.84p to 191.43p. The fuel went on to hit a record average of 191.5p in July that year.
For diesel, the largest monthly jump was March 2022, the month after Russia's invasion. The fuel soared 22p a litre from 155.23p to 177.29p. It went on to hit a record average of 199.09p a litre in June that year.
Ms Reeves yesterday faced fresh calls to ditch her 5p a litre fuel duty hike, which kicks in from September, to spare drivers pain at the pumps given the VAT windfall she's raking in.
Richard Smith, managing director of the Road Haulage Association, said rocketing pump prices were hurting businesses and delivery firms as well as private motorists.
He said: 'Rising fuel prices continue to be a huge challenge for HGV, coach and van businesses who already typically operate on thin margins.
'The knock-on effect will be felt through the supply chain and by households as costs are passed on.
'The Prime Minister says he's keeping the fuel duty increase under review. We've moved beyond the review stage – our essential industry needs action on fuel.
'We're clear: scrap the fuel duty hike.
'This isn't an industry concern; it's a national one.'
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