The price of petrol and diesel has risen by 30p per litre in the last year, reaching a new all-time high.

RAC Fuel Watch data shows the average prices of both petrol and diesel hit new record highs in October after rising by nearly 7.5p and 8p respectively – with the price of unleaded rising faster than in any month since 2000

On October 24 petrol exceeded the 142.48p a litre all-time peak set on April 16, 2012, by reaching 142.94p. Since then the price has continued to rise, finishing the month at 144.35p and up from 136.92p at the start.

Diesel also surpassed its record price of April 12, 2012, (147.93p) on the last day of the month with a new high of 147.94p, up from 139.78p on October 1.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “October 2021 set records for all the wrong reasons and was a horrible month for drivers with both petrol and diesel prices hitting new heights.

“With a fill-up costing £16.50 more than a year ago, the impact is definitely being felt in homes up and down the country. It’s also bound to have a negative effect on the economy.”

RAC Fuel Watch data shows the price jumps appear to have been driven by the big four supermarkets which upped the price of unleaded by more than 9p a litre and diesel by more than 10p to averages of 142.18p and 145.28p respectively.

Asda had the cheapest petrol at 140.98p, only slightly lower than Sainsbury’s at 141.68p. Sainsbury’s, however, offered the lowest price diesel at 144.37p, just slightly less than Asda which charged 144.57p at the end of October.

The average price of motorway petrol was 158.43p on 31 October, with a record price set the day before at 158.56p. Diesel closed October at a new all-time high of 163.08p.

Williams added: “Regardless of this, the profit margin retailers are taking on each litre of petrol is greater now than it used to be prior to the pandemic, which is artificially making forecourt prices higher, particularly as VAT is charged on top. We urge the biggest retailers, in particular, to play fair with drivers and ease the burden at the pumps by lowering their margins on petrol from around 8p a litre to more normal levels.”

Regional pump prices compared:

Unleaded	01/10/2021	31/10/2021	Change
UK average	136.92	144.35	7.43
East	137.19	144.87	7.68
East Midlands	136.65	144.38	7.73
London	137.53	144.51	6.98
North East	135.66	143.04	7.38
North West	137.14	143.87	6.73
Northern Ireland	133.74	142.10	8.36
Scotland	136.30	143.97	7.67
South East	137.91	144.92	7.01
South West	137.52	144.45	6.93
Wales	136.38	144.11	7.73
West Midlands	136.82	144.29	7.47
Yorkshire And The Humber	136.48	143.59	7.11

 

Diesel	01/10/2021	31/10/2021	Change
UK average	139.78	147.94	8.16
East	139.96	148.19	8.23
East Midlands	138.89	147.79	8.90
London	140.20	147.93	7.73
North East	138.15	147.22	9.07
North West	139.43	147.70	8.27
Northern Ireland	135.53	144.36	8.83
Scotland	139.20	147.89	8.69
South East	140.67	148.55	7.88
South West	139.86	148.24	8.38
Wales	139.30	147.92	8.62
West Midlands	139.71	147.85	8.14
Yorkshire And The Humber	139.22	147.84	8.62