Fuel prices rise again in July
Fuel prices rose for the second month in row in July, with petrol going up by nearly 1p a litre and diesel rising by almost 2p.
According to RAC Fuel Watch data, the average price of a litre of unleaded at the end of July was 135p – up 0.85p from 134.15p at the start of the month – while diesel rose by 1.64p from 141.21p to 142.85p.
The increases follow rises of 2p and 3p in the previous month, which means the price of petrol has gone up almost 3p and diesel by 4.5p since the start of June.
Petrol is now at its most expensive point since mid-April while diesel is now as expensive as it has been since the third week of March.
Northern Ireland remains the cheapest place to buy fuel in the UK, with a litre of unleaded averaging just 128p and diesel 134.5p.
Rising prices
RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Unfortunately, drivers heading into the busy summer holiday season will be met with rising prices at the pumps, as the cost of fuel increased in July for the second month running.
“While the average price of petrol for the year so far is just a couple of pence above the average for all of 2021, drivers are still meant to be benefiting from a 5p-a-litre fuel duty discount which has been in place since the start of the Ukraine War in early 2022.
“Our analysis of the difference between wholesale and retail prices shows retailer margins remain high, particularly on petrol. This is emphasised by the fact the average price of unleaded in Northern Ireland is 7p cheaper than the average across the UK.”
