Drivers are being charged 20p per litre more for diesel than petrol despite there being little difference in the fuels' wholesale prices, according to new analysis. The RAC urged retailers to cut diesel pump prices to "fairer levels" which reflect costs.
It found that diesel's wholesale price - the amount that retailers pay for fuel - was just 6p per litre more than petrol last week. But a litre of diesel is being sold at an average of around 168p while petrol is at 148p.
RAC analysis found that retailers are "subsidising" cheaper petrol by taking a margin of 20p on every litre of diesel they sell. Latest Government figures show 17.6 million vehicles licensed in the UK are diesel-powered, including the vast majority of vans. That represents 43% of all vehicles on the road.
