DRIVERS are paying 20p per litre more for diesel than petrol – despite there being little difference between the two fuels on the wholesale market, according to the RAC.
The wholesale price of diesel was just 6p more than petrol in recent weeks (121.06p compared to 115.48p), leaving drivers of diesel vehicles having to pay 168p a litre, compared to just 148p for unleaded.
The RAC calculated that if diesel was being sold at a fairer rate drivers would be paying no more than around 155p per litre, which would make the cost of filling an average 55-litre family car £7 less than it was at the time (£85.25 compared to £92.40).
The RAC analysis also claimed retailers were taking more than double the margin on every litre of diesel they sell – just shy of 20p – compared to the 8.5p on unleaded.
RAC fuel spokesman, Simon Williams, said: “While our data shows petrol is generally being sold at a fair price at forecourts at the moment, drivers of the country’s 12m diesel cars – as well as almost every white van driver – have every right to feel hard done by as they’re paying a huge premium for the fuel which in no way reflects its lower wholesale cost.”
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