The price of petrol fell for the third month running in October but fuel prices are still too high, according to the RAC.
Data from RAC Fuel Watch shows the average price of a litre of unleaded dropped (1.57p) to 126.42p at the end of the month from 127.99p at the start. Diesel also came down a similar amount (1.59p), taking a litre to 130.49p from 132.08p – a change from September when it increased very slightly.
A litre of petrol is now nearly 3p (2.73p) a litre cheaper than it was at the beginning of August (129.15p) whereas diesel is only 1.55p cheaper (132.04 on 1 August).
The average price of supermarket petrol was 123.01p – down 1.05p; diesel 126.55p – down 1.48p. At the end of October Asda was selling the cheapest supermarket unleaded at 121.64p a litre, 1.44p ahead of its nearest rival Tesco (123.08p). It also had the lowest priced diesel at 125.14p, 1.54p below Tesco (126.68p).
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “It’s clearly good news for drivers that pump prices reduced in October, but it’s disappointing they haven’t fallen further given the conditions were so favourable with the price of oil averaging under $60 a barrel and the pound strengthening to $1.29.
“As things stand both petrol and diesel are still 2p too expensive and should really be reduced. Sadly, we suspect this is extremely unlikely as the wholesale market is now beginning to go the other way, which will start to eat in to the accumulated saving that should have been passed on to drivers before.”
