The UK's biggest supermarkets have been slammed over the cost of petrol prices at their forecourts this Christmas.
The RAC claims motorists are being "heartlessly overcharged" as the average price per litre of petrol is around 153p while diesel stands at 176p. When compared to the days leading up to Christmas 2021, current prices are 7p higher for petrol and a whopping 27p higher for diesel.
Millions of motorists who will go on car journeys this week to spend the festive period with friends and family will likely pay an extra £20 for filling a typical 55-litre family car with petrol and £31 for diesel compared to two years ago. The RAC added that drivers shouldn't be experiencing such high costs at the pumps since the wholsesale price of petrol is the same as 12 months ago while diesel is only 14p more per litre.
Read more: All the roads closed across the UK during the Christmas holiday
It also highlighted the effects of the government's 5p per litre cut in fuel duty introduced in March. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “With the cost-of-living crisis making this one of the toughest
"Christmases on record, it is even more galling to know drivers are being heartlessly overcharged for fuel, making this the most expensive ever festive getaway on the roads. The big four supermarkets, which dominate UK fuel retailing, have robustly refused to significantly lower their forecourt prices to reflect what’s happened with the substantial reduction in the price of wholesale fuel that they are enjoying.”
He called on supermarkets to “give drivers the Christmas present they deserve” by cutting fuel prices.
“We now have a bizarre situation where many smaller independent retailers are charging far less for their fuel than the supermarkets,” Mr Williams said.
“After years of the supermarkets being the cheapest place to fill up, many drivers automatically assume this is still the case and may be losing out as a result.”
The UK's ‘big four’ supermarkets include Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons - who each have their own petrol forecourts.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at trade association the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers understand the cost pressures facing motorists and will do everything they can to continue to offer the best value for money across their forecourts, passing on cost reductions as they feed through the supply chain.”
An Asda spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News: "Asda is the price leader in the supermarket fuel sector and we remain focussed on providing our customers with the best value at the pumps.”
When approached by the Manchester Evening News, Morrisons referred back to the statement provided by the British Retail Consortium.
Sainsbury's and Tesco have also been approached for comment.
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