By Cost to fill a family car hits £100 as fuel prices continue to rise
The cost to fill a family car with petrol has hit £100 for the first time as many call on the government for more action.
The RAC motoring group called it a “truly dark day” for motorists as petrol now costs a “depressing” £100.27 per tank and £103.43 for diesel.
Moves to reduce European dependence on Russian oil since the war in Ukraine began has pushed petrol costs to an all time high.
In March, the government cut fuel duty by 5p in an attempt to help drivers, but this measure is now becoming obsolete as the cost of living crisis worsens.
RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said that government is taking around 30p in VAT from every litre – compared to just 25p before Russia invaded Ukraine – as well as 53p in fuel duty from every litre.
He added: “While fuel prices have been setting new records on a daily basis, households up and down the country may never have expected to see the cost of filling an average-sized family car reach three figures.”
According to price comparison website PetrolPrices, UK forecourts are already selling petrol above £2 a litre.
Retailers base their prices on the wholesale cost of petrol and diesel, but there is typically a two-week lag for pump prices to reflect any changes in wholesale prices.
The government has so far ruled out cutting VAT, arguing that any increases in receipts it gets from higher fuel prices will be largely offset by reduced household spending and VAT on other items.
