Are Petrol Prices Going Up? (Updated May 2026)

Are Petrol Prices Going Up?

What is happening to petrol prices in the UK right now?

Fuel prices in the UK have risen sharply since late February 2026, and they remain at their highest point in over two years. The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted the flow of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Strait of Hormuz - a narrow waterway that carries roughly 20% of the world's energy supply. A ceasefire in early April briefly eased wholesale costs, but with the Strait still effectively closed and peace talks stalled, pump prices have barely fallen.

As of late April 2026, the average UK petrol price stands at around 157p per litre, with diesel at roughly 188.5p - increases of around 17p and 32p per litre respectively since the conflict began. The RAC confirmed that both petrol and diesel prices rose every single day for 40 consecutive days before the first small dip in mid-April.

For drivers who prefer to think in gallons, that puts UK petrol prices at roughly £7.14 per gallon and diesel at around £8.57 per gallon - levels not seen since the summer of 2022.

How much more does a tank of fuel cost now?

The full impact of the oil price spike is showing up at UK forecourts. Here is what a typical 55 litre fill-up costs now compared to before the conflict began.

Diesel drivers are feeling the squeeze hardest. A full tank now costs over £103 on average - up more than £25 compared to before the conflict began. The RAC noted in mid-April that a full diesel tank had risen by £27 since the end of February, with petrol up £14 over the same period.

Regional variation means some UK drivers are paying even more. Data from the government's Fuel Finder scheme shows prices at nearby stations can vary by 20p or more per litre, so checking before you fill up can make a meaningful difference.

Will there be a petrol shortage in the UK?

A full petrol shortage in the UK is unlikely in the short term. The UK sources crude oil from a range of suppliers and holds strategic reserves. However, the disruption is still significant - higher wholesale prices mean UK fuel prices are rising fast even without supply running dry.

The bigger risk is a prolonged price increase rather than forecourts running empty. The Strait of Hormuz disruption is pushing up costs across the global supply chain, and that pressure feeds through to UK pump prices whether or not physical supply is directly affected.

What does the LNG shortage mean for UK energy bills?

It is not just petrol and diesel prices that are affected. The UK relies on liquefied natural gas (LNG) for around a third of its energy supply, and LNG is imported - much of it through or around the affected region. When LNG supply tightens, wholesale gas prices rise, and because gas-fired power stations still set the price of electricity in the UK most of the time, electricity costs go up too.

The good news is that the Ofgem energy price cap fell by 7% on 1 April 2026, reducing the average annual dual-fuel bill to £1,641 for a typical household. However, the cap is set in advance using a three-month average of wholesale prices - so it does not yet reflect the spike caused by the conflict. Forecasters at EDF Energy expect the July 2026 cap to rise by around £217, pushing annual bills back up towards £1,858. Some analysts at Oxford Economics have forecast an increase of up to 19%.

Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight has warned that UK households remain heavily exposed to international market movements, and that what happens in wholesale energy markets over the next three months will be the key factor in setting the July cap.

Will higher energy prices affect electric vehicle owners?

Yes - though EV drivers are still in a significantly better position than petrol or diesel drivers, even with energy prices rising.

From 1 April 2026, the standard variable electricity rate under the Ofgem price cap is 24.67p per kWh. If the July cap rises as forecast, that rate could climb again. For an EV with a 60 kWh battery, a full home charge at the April rate costs roughly £12.34 - enough for 200 to 250 miles of real-world range. If the July cap rises by the predicted 15%, that same charge would cost around £14.20.

Even at the standard April 2026 rate, home charging an EV costs around half as much per mile as filling up with petrol. Drivers on dedicated off-peak EV tariffs - available from suppliers including Octopus Energy - can charge overnight for as little as 7-8p per kWh, cutting costs further still.

Public rapid charging is the exception. At around 76p per kWh, it already costs more per mile than a petrol car - and if wholesale electricity prices rise in July, that gap could widen. EV drivers who rely heavily on rapid chargers rather than home charging will feel the LNG price squeeze more acutely.

What else gets more expensive when oil and gas prices rise?

Fuel and energy are the most obvious costs, but the wider impact on motoring is broader. Here is a quick look at what else is affected.

For a full breakdown of what is driving insurance costs right now, read our guide on how much car insurance costs in 2026.

How can UK drivers save money right now?

Shop around for fuel. Since February 2026, all UK fuel retailers must report their prices within 30 minutes under the Fuel Finder scheme. Prices can vary by 20p or more per litre between nearby stations, so checking before you fill up can add up to real savings over a year.

Drive fewer miles where you can. Lower mileage means less fuel spend and could mean a lower insurance quote too. Our guide on average UK mileage explains how annual mileage affects your costs.

If you drive an EV, switch to a dedicated off-peak tariff. Charging overnight at 7-8p per kWh rather than the standard 24.67p rate can reduce your annual home charging costs by several hundred pounds - the savings are particularly significant if you cover high mileage.

Compare your car insurance. Even when costs are rising across the board, different insurers price the same driver very differently. A few minutes comparing quotes could save you hundreds of pounds a year - and it is one of the easiest actions you can take to cut your overall motoring bill.

Will petrol prices ever come back down?

Nobody can say for certain. UK pump prices depend on global oil markets, the conflict in the Middle East, and government tax policy - none of which can be predicted with confidence. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed and peace talks have stalled, keeping Brent crude above $110 a barrel. On top of that, the 5p per litre fuel duty cut expires at the end of August 2026, with phased increases returning the rate to 57.95p by March 2027.

There are reasons for cautious optimism, though. UK fuel prices tend to dip through autumn as summer driving demand fades. If the conflict eases and seasonal relief kicks in at the same time, drivers could see a meaningful drop later in the year. In the meantime, the new Fuel Finder scheme and price comparison tools give drivers more power than ever to find the lowest prices near them.

Rising fuel prices in the UK are hard for any household to absorb. But knowing where the extra costs show up - at the pumps, on your energy bill, or on your charging costs - puts you in a stronger position to act. Small steps can add up to real savings over the year.