UK drivers have now paid well over half a billion pounds at the pumps in ‘war premiums’.
Analysis by the RAC Foundation shows that the difference in what drivers would hav paid for fuel on the forecourts if petrol and diesel prices had stayed the same as they were before the first bombing of Tehran and what they have actually paid now stands at £543.8 million.
The analysis uses fuel consumption data from 2025 as a proxy for what is currently being used.
Of the total excess, £409.2 million has been paid by drivers of diesel vehicles whilst £134.6 million has been paid by those with petrol vehicles.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“The pump price premium paid by drivers since the war started now totals well north of half a billion pounds and is currently rising by about £37 million a day. At this rate the war will have cost motorists at least a billion pounds at the forecourt within the next couple of weeks.
“Three-quarters of the ‘war premium’ is being paid by diesel drivers. This is partly because more diesel than petrol is sold in the UK, but also reflects the record gap between the prices of petrol and diesel now seen at the pumps. Either way, this is bad news for business. The nation’s army of small traders typically rely on diesel-powered vans to ply their trade.”
The avearge price of a litre of diesel is currently 28p more than a litre of petrol.
According to government data there were 4.6 million vans and 10.3 million cars powered by diesel on the road in the UK as of the end of quarter 3 2025. There were also 18.9 million petrol cars.
ENDS
Contacts:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 07711 776448
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
It is a registered charity. Charity number: 1002705.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. For more information visit www.racfoundation.org