Compare retail prices across UK supermarket forecourts, motorway services, and independent retailers in real time.
Pricing mechanisms, Fuel Duty and VAT tax breakdown, supermarket competition, and strategies to cut forecourt costs.
In Britain, the four major supermarkets (Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's) control over 40% of retail fuel volume. They treat fuel as a loss-leader or low-margin drawcard to drive footfall into their grocery stores, maintaining prices 3p to 8p per litre below oil major forecourts.
Over half the cost of a litre of fuel flows directly to HM Treasury. Fuel Duty is levied as a flat excise of 52.95p per litre, on top of which standard 20% VAT is applied to the combined total of the wholesale product, retailer margin, and the Fuel Duty itself (a tax on tax).
Forecourts along motorways (operated by Moto, Welcome Break, Roadchef) charge premiums of 20p to 35p per litre due to high site rental leases and round-the-clock statutory service obligations. Diverting 2 miles off the motorway junction to a nearby retail park can save £15 on a tank.
Following the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) road fuel market study, a statutory open data scheme requires UK fuel retailers to publish daily pricing feeds. FuelPriceToday.org tracks these feeds to bring complete price transparency directly to British motorists.
Since 2021, standard UK petrol contains up to 10% renewable ethanol (E10). While 95% of petrol cars are compatible, high-performance engines and classic cars benefit from premium Super Unleaded 97/99 (E5), which commands a 10p to 15p per litre premium for higher octane ratings.
With London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and provincial Clean Air Zones (Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield), non-compliant older diesel vehicles face £12.50 daily charges. Modern Euro 6 diesels and Euro 4+ petrols avoid charges while benefiting from long-distance highway efficiency.