Diesel costs reach record high of 143.05 pence per litre
Friday, 17 February 2012 05:43
Diesel has hit a record high of 143.05 pence per litre in the UK, according to analysts Experian Catalist.
The price beats the previous high of 143.04 that motorists had to pay in May 2011 during the “Arab spring.”
This means the cost of filling up an 80-litre commercial van is up from £90 in February 2010 to £114. 57.5 per cent of the cost goes to the government in tax. Diesel inflation is now almost double the rate of the consumer prices index which fell to 3.6 per cent in January.
The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has called for the government to cancel a planned fuel duty increase in next months’ budget and a further one scheduled for August.
The UK has the third highest diesel costs in Europe at 141.9 pence per litre. Sweden tops the list at 142.5. By contrast, motorists in Luxembourg pay just 105.4., according to the AA's fuel price report from last month.
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RAC spokesman John Franklin said: "The new record price of diesel shows the issue of rising fuel prices isn't going away. Drivers continue to be hit hard in their pockets during these tough economic times.
"With a further 3p-a-litre fuel duty rise planned in August, we hope the chancellor will take a look at this in the Budget."
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