Are petrol prices in the UK too high?
23rd December 2011
The cost of motoring is soaring and motorists are being driven off the roads as a result.
High petrol prices and significant car maintenance costs have combined to leave drivers on the side lines. UK petrol prices have risen dramatically over the last 12 months. Many people are now asking if they are too high.
The cost of petrol hit a record high in May this year, reaching 137.43p a litre for petrol. It has since climbed down, but only to 133.7 pence per litre for unleaded, and 140.9 p for diesel.
It could be worse though. Due to the exchange rate, petrol prices are currently higher in eight European countries other than the UK, including France, Italy and Portugal.
The UK has the seventh highest price of petrol and the second highest diesel price in Europe, according to the AA. Norway has some serious petrol price problems and the UK’s costs look cheap in comparison.
The November Fuel Price Report found that Norway had the highest price of petrol in Europe at 153.28 p per litre for unleaded and 142.26 for diesel.
The Netherlands was not far behind, charging 144.22p per litre for unleaded and Denmark took third place charging 140.56 p per litre for unleaded. The cheapest petrol can be found in Bulgaria, at just 103.47 p per litre.
The report also found significant regional variations in petrol price within the UK. Yorkshire and Humberside recorded the lowest petrol and diesel prices, with an average of 132.8 pence per litre for unleaded and 140.3 p per litre for diesel. Northern Ireland was found to charge the most for both petrol and diesel.
Drivers who are already finding it hard to part with their money at the pumps could see things get worse still as some experts warn that petrol prices could rise further. Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Group, RMI Petrol predicts that this could increase to 145p next year for unleaded and a staggering 150p for diesel.
Before taking to the roads you are legally required to have car insurance in place.
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