Asda Takes Top Spot for Most Expensive Fuel Prices in UK
The RAC stated that British drivers are still getting a miserable deal every time they fill up.
Asda has been identified as the most expensive supermarket fuel retailer in the UK based on analysis from the RAC released on Wednesday.
Data from the RAC reveals that Asda no longer holds the title of the most affordable retailer, as it is charging an average of 2.1 pence per litre more for petrol than competitors Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Morrisons.
RAC Senior Policy Officer Rod Dennis expressed concern, stating that despite decreasing fuel prices, the delay in price reductions reaching forecourts is worrying.
Dennis noted, “It’s also interesting to see that Asda no longer offers the cheapest fuel, despite previous commitments made during a merger a year ago. The other major supermarkets and some independents now provide lower prices.”
Related Stories
Rod Dennis mentioned, “When it comes to much-needed pump price cuts, it’s sadly a case of too little, too leisurely, with most drivers still getting a miserable deal every time they fill up.”
An Asda spokesperson stated that their data showed they were the lowest-priced supermarket for fuel by the end of May.
“We reduced the price of unleaded and diesel by a combined average of 2.31p per litre,” the spokesperson explained.
In May, prices for petrol and diesel decreased across all UK forecourts, dropping by 2.4 pence per litre to an average price of 147.9 pence as wholesale fuel prices continued to fall.
However, Dennis noted that “pump prices are at levels much higher than we ought to be seeing.”
‘Rocket and Feather Territory’
He suggested that some retailers might be taking advantage of British drivers, who should be benefiting from the 5 pence per litre duty cut introduced to mitigate soaring fuel prices following the conflict in Ukraine.
Dennis expressed, “We’re once again in classic ‘rocket and feather’ territory, with pump prices only trickling down when they should really be falling like a stone.”
The lowest prices in the UK are still in Northern Ireland, where petrol averages 141.4 pence per litre, 5.7 pence less than the rest of the UK, and diesel at 142.5 pence, 9.9 pence less than the rest of the UK.
The report highlighted good deals outside of Northern Ireland, such as Bishop Auckland in County Durham and St. Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex offering petrol for under 139 pence per litre, and Arbroath in Scotland offering diesel for under 143 pence per litre.
The RAC is optimistic that new consumer protection laws under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, effective as of May 24, will enhance competition and lower pump prices. The legislation grants the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) the authority to scrutinize fuel prices and report any malpractice to the government.
Dennis stated, “Whichever party assumes power after the upcoming General Election will need to decide how to address the supposedly temporary cut in fuel duty.”
“When looking at current pump prices in the UK, it’s easy to forget that this cut was intended to ease the cost of refueling immediately. Many European governments have raised their duty rates again due to the energy price crisis after initially offering assistance to drivers.”
