Petrol drivers in the UK will incur a cost of 17p per mile this December, as fuel prices continue to rise, according to new analysis from RAC Fuel Watch. The current petrol price has reached 137.0p per litre, a slight increase from 135.60p per litre recorded in November. This uptick translates into an average annual fuel expense of approximately £1,384 for road users driving the typical 8,000 miles each year.
Analysis by the motoring and insurance website Nimblefins indicates that the average fuel economy for petrol vehicles in the UK stands at 36 miles per gallon (mpg). Based on these figures, motorists can expect to spend around £173 on fuel for a journey of 1,000 miles. In contrast, those driving diesel cars will benefit from lower costs, as diesel prices average 146.21p per litre with a fuel economy of approximately 43mpg. This equates to around 15p per mile, resulting in an estimated annual fuel bill of £1,234 for the average diesel driver, which is £150 less than their petrol counterparts.
The RAC has reported that the cost of filling a family petrol car has now reached £75.44, up by £1.19 from £74.25 at the end of October. This increase comes as the RAC had previously warned drivers to expect higher fuel prices leading into the festive season.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, expressed concern about the rising fuel costs. “Drivers will be disappointed to see prices at the pumps rise so sharply in the run-up to the festive period,” he stated. “Not only is it one of the most expensive times of the year, but it’s also a time when many of us drive hundreds of miles to celebrate with family and friends over the extended break, making it a costly Christmas on the roads.”
Despite the increase in fuel prices, Williams offered some advice for motorists. He noted that filling up at supermarkets is generally cheaper and encouraged drivers to seek out low-priced independent forecourts for better value. “The best advice is to keep a close eye out for low prices on your normal routes or, better still, use the myRAC app to search for the best prices in your area,” he added.
In a related development, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a new tax on electric and some hybrid vehicles in her November budget. Starting in April 2028, electric vehicle drivers will face a road charge of 3p per mile, while plug-in hybrid drivers will pay 1.5p per mile. These rates are set to increase annually in line with inflation. The new tax is projected to be roughly half the fuel duty rate currently paid by petrol car drivers, according to the government’s independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
As the festive season approaches, the pressure of rising fuel costs is likely to weigh heavily on UK motorists. The RAC’s insights and guidance could provide some relief for those navigating the financial impacts of travel during this busy period.
