Petrol prices have hit their highest level on record across the UK, according to the RAC.
The average daily price per litre reached 142.94p on Sunday, surpassing the previous record of 142.48p a litre in April 2012.
The new record is 28p higher per litre than it was a year ago, with it now costing an extra £15 to fill-up a 55-litre family car than it did then.
Petrol prices have increased in line with global market oil prices, which have more than doubled per barrel over the past year.
Experts say that fuel prices will likely continue to rise even further, with analysts forecasting Brent crude prices to remain high for the rest of the year.
Diesel hit 146.50p a litre at the end of the weekend, still 1.43p short of the all-time record, also in April 2012.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “This is truly a dark day for drivers, and one which we hoped we wouldn’t see again after the high prices of April 2012.
“This will hurt many household budgets and no doubt have knock-on implications for the wider economy.
“The big question now is: where will it stop and what price will petrol hit? If oil gets to $100 a barrel, we could very easily see the average price climb to 150p a litre.
“Even though many people aren’t driving quite as much as they have in the past due to the pandemic, drivers tell us they are more reliant on their cars now than they have been in years, and many simply don’t have a choice but to drive.
“There’s a risk those on lower incomes who have to drive to work will seriously struggle to find the extra money for the petrol they so badly need.
“We urge the government to help ease the burden at the pumps by temporarily reducing VAT, and for the biggest retailers to bring the amount they make on every litre of petrol back down to the level it was prior to the pandemic.”
Image source: Aviva
