UK petrol and diesel prices surge as Russia launches attack on Ukraine

24 February 2022, 14:41 | Updated: 24 February 2022, 14:46

Motorists are being warned over the possibility of petrol prices soaring to £1.60 a litre following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Oil and gas prices have surged and global stock markets fell sharply after Russian forces invaded the country.

The price of Brent crude oil hit its highest level in eight years after increasing by 6.3% to 102.90 US dollars per barrel shortly after 8am on Thursday.

On Wednesday, average petrol prices rose to 149.30p per litre and there are warnings it could soon pass £1.50.

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Average fuel prices at UK forecourts are already at record highs, and the situation is expected to worsen as retailers pass on further rises in wholesale costs.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "Russia's actions will now push petrol pump prices up to £1.50 very soon.

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"The question then becomes where will this stop and how much can drivers take, just as many are using their cars more and returning to workplaces.

"If the oil price was to increase to 110 US dollars, there's a very real danger the average price of petrol would hit £1.55 a litre.

"This would cause untold financial difficulties for many people who depend on their cars for getting to work and running their lives as it would skyrocket the cost of a full tank to £85.

"At 120 US dollars a barrel - without any change to the exchange rate which is currently at 1.35 US dollars - we would be looking £1.60 a litre and £88 for a full tank."

Figures from data firm Experian Catalist show the average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts on Wednesday increased to 149.43p, while diesel rose to 152.83p.

This compares with petrol at 145.91p and diesel at 149.22p a month ago, and petrol at 122.50p and diesel at 125.99p a year ago.

AA president Edmund King said: "Russia's attack on Ukraine and resulting geopolitical uncertainty has pushed Brent crude above 100 US dollars per barrel for the first time since 2014.

"This will result in hikes in prices at the pumps.

"New record fuel prices are likely any time soon."

Mr King advised drivers wanting to conserve fuel to consider car-sharing, cutting out short journeys, reducing speeds and driving more smoothly.

There are also concerns about overall inflation as Brits are facing a cost of living crisis.

Ukraine is a major supplier of wheat and corn, with economists warning the cost of living crisis in the UK could be exacerbated with inflation rising well beyond current predictions of around 7% later this year.

Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said if the jumps in oil, gas and electricity products on Thursday are sustained, it could push inflation to 8.2% in April.

It would only fall back to 6.5% by the end of the year, he added.

Inflation hit 5.5% in January and the Bank of England believes it will peak at more than 7% in April when huge 50% increases in domestic energy bills when the new price cap hits.

The FTSE 100 in London was down almost 250 points to 7,257, or 3.2%, by late morning on Thursday.

Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC and Italy’s FTSE MIB were all down 5%, while Russia’s MOEX plunged 33%.