Ukraine crisis could send petrol prices soaring to 180p-per-litre

Motorists could be hit with eye-watering fuel prices in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with one market commentator predicting that petrol could soar to 180p-per-litre and diesel 185p in the next two months. 

Russia is one of the world's largest oil producers and the conflict has already pushed oil prices to record levels, with petrol at 156.37p and diesel at 162.28p on 7 March 2022. 

Fuel retailers are expected to pass on further increases in the wholesale price of fuel to motorists at the pumps. 

Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independently owned forecourts (around 65% of forecourts), said that PRA members have “watched the unfolding events in Ukraine with concern".

"This will have an impact on oil prices, which will flow through to the wholesale price of petrol and diesel...[our members] will need to respond to changing market conditions and must account for any increase in the cost of product to ensure that they can continue serving their community."

When it comes to predicting how high fuel prices could rise, Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK campaign, said:"How long is a piece of string?

"Credible indications put £1.60 as the immediate hit and long term, two months, I see £1.70 to £1.80 for petrol and up to £1.84 for diesel as more than likely."

The RAC says petrol pump prices could hit 160p by the end of the week .

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Another day of record average pump price highs is putting petrol on a rapid journey towards 160p a litre and diesel to 165p.

"Given the speed of increases, drivers could unfortunately see this by the end of the week. And as these are averages far higher prices will be appearing on forecourt totems up and down the country.

Government should cut fuel duty 

Fuel duty makes up the majority of the price of a litre of fuel and Cox urged the Government to take action to reduce costs for motorists. 

"The Government must cut fuel duty now as they are wallowing in a shed load of extra VAT because of the eye-watering cost of filling up," he said. 

Williams added: “The Chancellor needs to act now to cut VAT to save homes and businesses from untold financial pain.

"A cut to 15% would save drivers 6.5p on petrol based on the current average of 156.37p whereas for diesel at an average of 162.28p the saving would be 7p a litre.

"Mr Sunak also needs to be prepared to go further if prices continue to rise as expected, after all it doesn’t seem fair that the Government’s coffers should benefit from the hike in the oil price while drivers suffer.

“Currently, around 26p a litre is going to the Treasury from VAT alone, so a cut to 15% would only take the tax take back to around 20p a litre which was broadly what was collected over the last three years.”

FairFuelUK also wants an independent pump price monitoring body to be created, like consumer watchdogs Ofgem, Ofcom and Ofwat.