Petrol price cuts announced - RAC reaction

Following repeated calls by the RAC for petrol prices to be reduced, and the news today that some retailers have finally started to cut their prices, RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said:

“This is excellent news for motorists as it should spark cuts from all retailers bringing the price of petrol down nationwide from its current average of 130.46p a litre. But this is sadly long overdue given the fact the wholesale price of unleaded has been low enough for a significant reduction at the pumps since mid-October.

“We badly need a case of ‘follow the leader’ now and for big retailers to actually have the often-talked-about ‘pump price war’ as that would rightly benefit consumers. Retailers have not played fair with drivers in a falling wholesale market. Asda was the only big four supermarket to cut the price on the forecourt but even that didn’t happen until late in October, while Tesco chose to offer 10p off a litre to customers who spent a certain amount in store.

“When wholesale prices drop retailers should pass savings on to all motorists by cutting their pump prices sooner. This is vital to the UK average price as supermarkets are so influential in fuel retailing they need to drop their prices for others to follow around the country.

“There is also better news on the horizon for diesel drivers. While diesel has risen substantially to an average of 136.79p, and unfortunately still appears to be going up, it should now begin to reduce as the wholesale price has started to fall.”

An interactive chart showing historic wholesale and pump petrol and diesel prices is available.