Drivers have been hit by another increase in fuel prices, with the AA urging drivers to ditch the car when they can. The average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new record of 183.2p on Thursday, according to data firm Experian.
That was a rise of 0.9p compared with Wednesday. The average cost of filling a typical 55-litre family car exceeded £100 for the first time on Wednesday.
The average price of a litre of diesel on Thursday was also a record, at 188.8p. Analysis by the AA indicated that high streets are losing £23 million a day in potential consumer spending due to the rising amount of money private motorists are spending on fuel.
The RAC claimed it is “becoming clearer by the day that the Government must take further action” on pump prices. AA president Edmund King said: “High streets are already reeling from families cutting back in this cost-of-living crisis.
“With soaring petrol costs, shop tills are haemorrhaging £23 million a day to fuel. Worse still, as the holiday season approaches, UK tourism will see millions of pounds of potential spending by visitors lost to higher petrol costs at forecourts along the way.
“This is the worst week of pump pain so far for drivers. We would urge drivers at the moment to cut out shorter car journeys if they are able to do so and walk or cycle to save money. Almost one-fifth of AA members are already doing this.
“But by changing your driving style you can also save up to 15% on fuel costs. These crippling fuel costs are hitting home, so drivers need to take all the steps they can to stay mobile.”
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said it was “another day and another round of fuel price records”.
He went on: “Unbelievably the average cost of a litre of petrol has gone up by more than 7p in just a week to 183.16p, and diesel by 4.5p to 188.82p. Other price records have also unfortunately been set this morning, with the average cost of a litre of diesel at a motorway services passing the £2 mark for the first time ever (200.99p).
“Petrol at the motorway is also at another record of 197.18p. It’s becoming clearer by the day that the Government must take further action to reduce the enormous financial burden on drivers.”
