The cost of filling up a car with diesel has increased yet again, with motorists facing a very expensive winter.
Both diesel and petrol prices have increased for the tenth successive week, according to government figures. The price of a litre of petrol on UK forecourts has surged to an average of 146.89p, while diesel is even more expensive at 150.73p.
These costs are the most expensive ever, having exceeded the previous high of April 2012 last month. Since then, prices have continued to rise and there is no reason to think they will not continue to do so.
Commenting last week as the price of diesel hit 150p, RAC Fuelwatch spokesman Simon Williams said: “Fuel prices this year are setting records for all the wrong reasons, with the average price of a litre of diesel hitting £1.50 a particularly miserable milestone.”
Noting that the coming winter will be “horrendously expensive” for consumers because general inflation is rising and domestic energy costs are particularly high, Mr Wiliams added: “The fact used car prices are so high also means that it’s even more costly for many drivers to upgrade to newer, more efficient vehicles to save themselves money. “
Upward pressure has occurred because the cost of oil has doubled in the last year, a situation arising from the combination of a global economy starting to get back on its feet after the worst of the pandemic – especially in more advanced industrial nations – and global supply chain issues.
None of that will come as much consolation to diesel vehicle users, whether that is the family car or a vehicle used for transportation or construction.
However, it does make it more important for those with diesel vehicles to make them more efficient and effective, which is where AdBlue removal can help.
This can also help make diesel engines work well without adding to their pollutants such as nitrous oxide – a key factor in governments removing their previous support for diesel and turning their focus towards hybrid vehicles, biofuels and electric cars.
With high prices combining with a drive to move away from fossil fuels in motoring – a determination strengthened by the recent CO26 summit – diesel users may themselves be keen to switch to greener vehicles. However, the difficulty has been exacerbated by the high prices mentioned by Mr Williams, as well as supply issues.
This is because the same concerns that have pushed up diesel prices and the cost of many other goods – global supply chain problems – have also hit motor manufacturers.
Even top end makers like Jaguar Land Rover have been hit hard by a lack of semiconductors, leading
to the company posting information on how long it expects buyers of new models will have to wait for their new vehicles. In many cases this can be a year or longer.
For those using diesel, it therefore makes sense to do everything to be as efficient as possible, which may include removing AdBlue in circumstances where it no longer helps make the engine operate in the most optimal way.
