October saw a ‘severe shock to the system for drivers’ as diesel drivers were hit with ‘10p to the cost of a litre’

The RAC said that the average price of a litre of diesel rose by the third largest monthly rise in prices on record.

The average prices of a litre of diesel at UK forecourts shot up by more than 10p in October adding over £5 to the cost of a typical 55 litre family car.

In October diesel started at 180.4p per litre which then ended at 190.5p per litre, whilst petrol shot up by almost 4p per litre in October from 162.7p to 166.4p.

OPEC+ agreed in October to cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day which led to a 7% increase in oil,  plus the weaker pound was responsible for wholesale petrol and diesel being more expensive.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said, “After three months of falling pump prices, October was a severe shock to the system for drivers with the unwelcome return of some scary numbers on forecourt totems.

“Those with diesel vehicles suffered most with 10p being added to the cost of a litre in what was the third worst monthly increase on record, but petrol car drivers also saw a 4p-a-litre increase across the country.

“Oil producer group OPEC+’s decision to cut supply by two million barrels a day has cost drivers dear.

“The fear now, particularly for diesel drivers, is whether the average price of a litre is heading back to that record of 199.09p which made a full tank cost more than £109.

“Looking at the wholesale market, we strongly hope the price should stabilise.

“And those with petrol cars should actually see forecourt prices start to go slightly the other way as the wholesale cost of unleaded appears to have peaked – at least for the time being – in mid-October.”