Fill up now, drivers told, as petrol prices climb

Drivers are being told to fill up now as petrol prices edge higher - with warnings that costs could surge to as much as £2 a litre under a worst case scenario.

After months of steady falls since mid-December, the average price of unleaded has risen for two consecutive weeks. It now stands at a total of 131.71p per litre, up from 131.46p on February 9. Experts say the reversal has been triggered by renewed volatility in global energy markets.

Brent crude has climbed above $71 a barrel - its highest level since July 2025 - amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Concerns over Donald Trump's tariffs and their impact on global trade are also rippling through commodity markets.

While today's prices remain well below the July 2022 peak of 191.55p per litre, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent fuel costs soaring, analysts believe the recent dip may have run its course.

Tony Redondo, founder of Newquay-based Cosmos Currency Exchange, said drivers should take advantage of current prices while they can.

He said: "The recent rise to 131.71p per litre signals a definitive pause in the downward trend UK drivers enjoyed earlier this year.

"This uptick is primarily driven by global volatility, with Brent crude climbing above $71 per barrel - the highest since July 2025 - due to heightened tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"Domestically, while the 5p fuel duty cut remains in place until September 2026, retailers are rapidly passing these wholesale increases to the pumps.

"Barring a major supply disruption, such as direct military action involving the US and Iran or a blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, prices are expected to settle between 133p and 135p in the short term.

"While we aren't approaching the 191p record highs of 2022, the price 'floor' has likely been reached. It is wise to fill up now if you find a station near the current average, as retail prices typically rise much faster than they fall."

The Strait of Hormuz - a critical shipping route for global oil supplies - remains a particular flashpoint. Any disruption there could send crude prices sharply higher within days.

Others warn that even more dramatic rises cannot be ruled out.

Samuel Mather-Holgate, managing director and IFA at Swindon-based Mather and Murray Financial, told Newspage: "Donald Trump's tariffs really are felt across the globe, even if indirectly, in petrol prices.

"Increasing uncertainty on the world stage pushed up the price of the commodity that is still the engine juice of the world.

"With tariffs, global political uncertainty in the Middle East and the problem of Venezuela, it's anyone's guess how much crude might go up. It's not unthinkable that we could see up to £2 per litre in the UK by the end of the summer."

An increase to £2 would represent a rise of more than 50% from today's average and push costs close to the record levels seen during the 2022 energy crisis.

Steven Greenall, adviser at Rayleigh-based Protect & Lend, pointed out that oil prices have already climbed more than 8% over the past month.

He said: "With oil up over 8% on the exchanges over the last month it's unsurprising petrol is ticking up at the pumps. Tension rising in the Middle East and potential threats to shipping through the Straits of Hormuz are causing some jitters. If further conflict breaks out expect further upward pressure but I'd expect it to be temporary."

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.