Warnings of record hike in fuel prices

DRIVERS are being warned that fuel prices could reach record levels even if the current crisis ends.

The RAC said average prices may hit 143p per litre for petrol and 145p per litre for diesel in the next few weeks. That is up from the current level of 135p for petrol and 138p for diesel.

The highest average for petrol is 142p per litre, in April 2012.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “The price drivers can expect to pay at the pumps in the coming weeks is being driven by what’s happening with the cost of oil, not by the recent delivery issues.

“While the oil price has softened slightly, it’s still very near the US$80 US a barrel mark and therefore a three-year high.

“We’re monitoring the situation but with some analysts predicting the price could hit $90 before the end of the year as demand for oil surges, there is a risk we could see the average price of unleaded hit around 143p per litre. Diesel would go to 145p.”

But some filling stations have ramped up prices during the crisis.

Howard Cox, founder of campaign group FairFuelUK, claimed on Monday price rises of between 5p and 10p per litre had become “the norm”.