Recent weeks have seen fuel prices soar across the UK, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.
March has seen costs reach new record highs. As of Wednesday, March 9, UK average price for diesel is 167.37p per litre, while a litre of unleaded petrol costs 159.57p, according to the latest RAC Fuel Watch figures.
The RAC Foundation has warned petrol prices could hit £1.60 a litre this week in the UK and £1.65 soon after, according to the BBC. One Welsh filling station is already charging 192.9p as prices continue to soar.
You can read all our stories on fuel prices here.
But why is the war driving up costs? The price of petrol and diesel is determined by the cost of and the global demand for crude oil and shortages sent fuel prices skyrocketing last year - but now as businesses are cut off ties to Russian oil, which is the second-largest producer of crude oil in the world, the current crisis could worsen.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng announced on Tuesday the UK will phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of the year in a move matched by US President Joe Biden.
So with countries turning away from Russian oil, there is demand for it elsewhere, which pushes the prices up.
We paid a visit on Thursday, March 10, to seven petrol stations across Cardiff and ten in Swansea to see the price hikes - as well as any shortages - for ourselves.
Shortages-wise, it was good news, with only three stations - Tesco and Asda in Cardiff, and Low Fuel Prices, Always in Swansea - having run out of diesel. All stations we visited had enough petrol.
As for the prices, in both cities, Shell petrol and diesel was the most expensive - at 175.9p and 193.9p respectively in Cardiff and 163.9 and 173.9 respectively in Swansea.
Asda on Leckwith Road in the capital had the cheapest petrol at 154.7p, while Tesco on Western Avenue had the cheapest diesel at 158.9p.
Meanwhile, in Swansea, Morrisons had both the least expensive petrol and diesel at 149.7p and 154.7p respectively.
As for how prices compared to the UK averages, three of the petrol stations we visited in Cardiff had higher prices for petrol and diesel than the current UK averages. In Swansea, just two stations we visited had a higher price for petrol than the average, and three had diesel that was more expensive than the average.
Here is a full breakdown of the prices for each, in order from the cheapest price for petrol to the most expensive:
Cardiff
1. Asda, Leckwith Road
Petrol: 154.7p - cheapest
Diesel: 162.7p
There was no diesel available on Thursday.
2. Tesco, Western Avenue
Petrol: 154.9p
Diesel: 158.9p - cheapest
There was no diesel available on Thursday.
3. Esso, Cathedral Road
Petrol: 155.9p
Diesel: 161.9p
4. Texaco, Sloper Road
Petrol: 157.9
Diesel: 163.9
5. Texaco, North Road
Petrol: 159.9p
Diesel: 168.9p
6. Texaco, Tudor Street
Petrol: 165.9p
Diesel: 169.9p
7. Shell, Hadfield Road
Petrol: 175.9p - most expensive
Diesel: 193.9p - most expensive
Swansea
1. Morrisons
Petrol: 149.7 - cheapest
Diesel: 154.7 - cheapest
2. Tesco, Llansamlet
Petrol: 153.9
Diesel: 156.9
3. Asda, Morriston
Petrol: 154.7
Diesel: 162.7
4. Low Fuel Prices, Always, Morriston
Petrol: 155.8
Diesel: 160.8
There was no diesel available on Thursday
5. Texaco, Llangyfelach Road
Petrol: 155.9
Diesel: 160.9
6. Sainsburys
Petrol: 156.9
Diesel: 160.9
7. Texaco, Cockett station
Petrol: 157.9
Diesel: 168.7
8. Texaco, Penlan
Petrol: 157.9
Diesel: 163.9
9. Texaco, Mumbles Road
Petrol: 159.9 unleaded
Diesel: 169.9
10. Shell, Sketty
Petrol: 163.9 - most expensive
Diesel: 173.9 - most expensive
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