Families already crippled by soaring energy and food prices face even more financial agony as motoring chiefs warn the cost of petrol will continue to rocket.
Drivers could today be charged on average £100 to fill up tanks for the first time as fuel hit another record high of 180.73p a litre on Tuesday.
The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. And diesel, already at least £100 a tank, rose by more than a penny to 186.57p a litre.
It sparked fury among struggling households, many of who rely on their cars for work.
Pressure was tonight growing on Rishi Sunak to slash VAT on fuel or bring in another cut on duty.
Drivers are paying £99.40 to fill a 55-litre tank but the RAC today warned it could go up again tomorrow.
Fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “We may reach the milestone £100 petrol fill-up, an unfortunate landmark, as soon as tomorrow.”
The firm added: “These are unprecedented times in terms of the cost of forecourt fuel. Sadly, it seems we are still some way from the peak.”
Teesside motorist David Needham said: “The petrol prices are shocking.”
Care home boss Emma Murray, of Denbigh, North Wales, told how staff cannot afford to refill their cars. She said: “Because we work in a rural area, I’ve been paying bonuses in order to retain staff. I can imagine a couple will think, ‘I can’t work in this sector anymore.’”
Petrol has already hit £2 a litre at motorway service stations and the RAC said it could become the norm across forecourts.
BP pumps at Washington services near Sunderland were charging 202.9p a litre for unleaded while it today cost 202.9p at Wetherby services in North Yorks.
Supermarket forecourts are around 5p a litre cheaper than the oil giants but it is feared they will push prices up when stocks are replenished at higher rates.
Tory MP Robert Halfon accused fuel firms of “fleecing motorists” and urged No10 to hit wholesale suppliers with windfall taxes.
He said: “It would force fair behaviour from the oil companies so motorists are not ripped off.”
Downing Street today warned petrol retailers who refuse to pass on the Chancellor’s 5p fuel duty cut could be “named and shamed”.
Boris Johnson ’s spokesman said No10 wanted it “passed on at all petrol stations” but added: “We are not confident this is happening.”
