Data suggests British drivers are buying less fuel per visit as prices rise in the wake of the Iran war.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a sharp increase in the retail price of petrol and diesel across the UK.
This graph illustrates how fuel prices began to surge in March, following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The conflict disrupted energy production across large parts of the Middle East, sending shockwaves through global markets.
Despite the recent spike, prices remain below the peak seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A major driver of rising costs has been the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied gas passes through this narrow waterway, and its shutdown since the start of the conflict has had a significant global impact—felt by UK motorists at the pump.
ONS data also indicates a shift in consumer behaviour. Since the war began, drivers have been purchasing smaller amounts of fuel per visit.
For many in the UK, driving is essential, making fuel costs difficult to avoid. However, the data suggests motorists are spreading the cost, opting for smaller, more frequent purchases rather than a single large expense.
Interviews with drivers support this trend. Many said they are shopping around for cheaper fuel, making them less likely to wait until their tank is nearly empty. This could help explain the drop in fuel purchased per transaction.
Morgan, a primary school teacher, said:
“If I see a petrol station with a cheaper price, I’ll just go in and fill up – even if I’ve still got half a tank.”
For others, the cost of filling a full tank in one go is simply too high.
David, from Glasgow, said:
“I know it doesn’t make sense, but I can’t face spending nearly £100 on petrol, so I just buy a half tank instead.”
Others take a different view. Emma Forsyth said:
“Yes, it’s a lot of money, but I’m going to be spending it anyway – I might as well just get it out of the way.”
There are also signs that prices may continue to rise. A spokesperson for the motoring organisation RAC said:
“Wholesale petrol and diesel prices jumped by around 5p a litre last week and are now at their highest since the war began.”
Changes in wholesale markets typically take around two weeks to feed through to petrol stations, meaning further increases are likely in the coming weeks.
The RAC added:
“Further price rises at forecourts are all but inevitable. We urge drivers to shop around to ensure they never pay more than they need to when filling up.”
