Diesel prices pass £2 a litre in Sheffield as RAC warn of costs reaching "the highest level in UK history"
"These extraordinarily high prices are another reminder of just how exposed the UK is to events occurring far away from its shores”
Motorists are now having to pay more than £2 a litre for fuel at a number of locations in Sheffield as prices reach “new uncharted territory.”
In total, six Esso garages in locations like Ecclesall Road, Handsworth Road and Ridgeway Road are now charging 201.9p for diesel.
Asda Express on Worsop Road, just over the border in the Aston area of Rotherham, are also charging the same price.
Locally, the highest prices are found at the Welcome Break service station on junction 33 of the M1 - just at the end of the Sheffield Parkway - where drivers will have to cough up 219.9p for diesel and 198.9p for unleaded.
It comes as RAC have warned that diesel prices have “reached the highest level in UK history” at an average of 199.18p, as they blame the ongoing war in Iran - which started in February this year - for continually rising prices.
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RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "The cost of filling up an average family car is now almost £110, £31 more than it was at the start of the US/Iran conflict.
“By eclipsing the previous highest price of 199.09p seen in June 2022, the diesel price has entered new uncharted territory.
“This spells pain not only at the pumps for drivers, but for everyone who buys goods or services that rely on diesel lorries and vans; undoubtedly these increased costs will be passed on to consumers.”
According to Fuel Map UK, the average diesel price in Sheffield is in-line with the national average at 199.1p.
A total of 20 locations are charging 199.9p for diesel, just sitting under the £2 per litre mark.
Meanwhile the cost of petrol similarly continues to rise, reaching an average of 174.6p in the city.
Petrol car drivers will face the high costs at Esso garages on Prince of Wales Road and Craven street as well as the BP and Shell garages on Greenland Road, Jet Fuel on Owler Lane and Texaco on Herries Road - all of which are charging 177.9p.
"Petrol prices, too, are continuing to rise,” Simon Williams added.
“A litre of unleaded stands at 174.13p on average, 41p more than at the start of the war – taking the cost of a full tank to nearly £96.
"These extraordinarily high prices are another reminder of just how exposed the UK is to events occurring far away from its shores. Only a sustained lower oil price – over several weeks, not days – will lead to cheaper prices at the pumps.
“Suggestions of a renewed deal to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and get oil supplies moving freely again had offered a slight glimmer of hope for drivers.
"The UK might have limited leverage when it comes to ending the US/Iran war and ultimately bringing oil prices down, but the Government could take steps to ease the burden on drivers by lowering fuel duty further or reducing VAT.
“As things stand, another 5p a litre will be loaded onto pump prices by the spring if the current fuel duty cut is fully reversed as planned. VAT receipts from fuel are also extremely high, so drivers will be watching this coming week's Labour party conference, and October's Budget, very carefully indeed."