UK fuel prices are falling more quickly than at any other point this year, with unleaded petrol and diesel now nearly 7p cheaper than a month ago, according to RAC Fuel Watch. As of 19 September, the average price for a litre of unleaded petrol has dropped to 136.15p, down from 141.26p at the start of the month and 142.86p in August. Diesel prices have followed a similar trend, falling from 145.99p to 140.87p in the same period. These reductions mean that both petrol and diesel prices are now at their lowest levels in nearly three years.
For drivers, the falling prices translate to savings of almost £4 on a complete fill-up compared to a month ago. Supermarkets are offering even better deals, with unleaded priced at an average of 133.23p and diesel at 137.69p. In Northern Ireland, where pump prices are considered the fairest in the UK, prices are as low as 131.5p for petrol and 134.2p for diesel.
The RAC expects further reductions in the coming weeks, predicting that petrol could drop to 132p per litre and diesel to 138p, reaching their lowest levels since mid-2021. The price drop is largely due to a combination of lower global oil prices, currently around $73 per barrel, and a stronger pound, which has benefited from falling UK inflation.
RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams commented on the positive trend, stating, “It’s really encouraging to see pump prices coming down so rapidly, which is as good for drivers’ wallets as it is for keeping inflation in check.” He advised drivers to continue shopping around for the best fuel prices and to use free tools like the RAC app to find the lowest deals.
Williams also highlighted that drivers in Northern Ireland continue to enjoy the best value, with fuel prices consistently 5.5p to 6p cheaper per litre compared to the rest of the UK. He expressed hope that the UK Government would soon introduce the Pumpwatch scheme, designed to ensure greater transparency in fuel pricing and help drivers get a fair deal.
To make the most of the current price drops, the RAC recommends that drivers use fuel-saving strategies such as driving with a “light right foot” and changing gears efficiently. Additionally, the free myRAC app offers a fuel finder feature to help drivers locate the cheapest fuel options in their area.
For more detailed information about fuel prices, including daily updates and historical graphs, drivers can visit the RAC Fuel Watch page. The app is available for free on both the App Store and Google Play.
