Asda has been named the most expensive supermarket fuel retailer in the UK, according to analysis from the RAC published on Wednesday.
Data from the RAC found Asda no longer holds the title of the “most affordable retailer” because on average it is charging 2.1 pence per litre more for petrol than rivals Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Morrisons.
RAC Senior Policy Officer Rod Dennis said in a statement on Wednesday, “A month of decreasing fuel prices should be seen as a good one for drivers, but the sheer time it is taking for any meaningful price reductions to reach forecourts is if anything a continuing cause of concern.”
He added that “it’s also interesting to see that Asda no longer holds the crown for selling the cheapest fuel, despite the pledge made when it was subject to a merger a year ago.”
“The other three major supermarkets, as well as some enterprising independents, now offer lower prices.”
“When it comes to much-needed pump price cuts, it’s sadly a case of too little, too leisurely, with most drivers still getting a miserable deal every time they fill up,” he said.
An Asda spokesperson told The Epoch Times by email on Wednesday that the company’s own data indicated it was the lowest-priced supermarket for fuel at the end of May.
“We reduced the price of unleaded and diesel by a combined average of 2.31p per litre,” the spokesperson said.
In the month of May prices for both petrol and diesel declined across all UK forecourts, dropping by 2.4 pence per litre to an average price of 147.9 pence as wholesale prices on fuel continue to fall.
‘Rocket and Feather Territory’
He suggested that some retailers could be taking advantage of British drivers, who should be seeing direct benefits from the 5 pence per litre duty cut that was introduced to offset skyrocketing fuel prices after war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022.“We’re once again in classic ‘rocket and feather’ territory, with pump prices only trickling down when they should really be falling like a stone,” said Mr. Dennis.
The lowest prices in the UK are still found in Northern Ireland where a litre of petrol costs on average 141.4 pence, which is 5.7 pence less than the rest of the UK, and diesel at 142.5 pence, which is 9.9 pence less than the rest of the UK.
The report did note there are some good deals to be had outside of Northern Ireland, such as Bishop Auckland in Country Durham and St. Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex, which are offering petrol for under 139 pence per litre. Arbroath in Scotland is offering diesel for under 143 pence per litre.
The RAC hopes new consumer protection laws brought in by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which came into effect on May 24, will help boost competition and lower prices at the pump. The new rules give the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) the powers it needs to scrutinise road fuel prices, reporting concerns of malpractice to the government.
“The CMA now has the powers it needs to take a closer look at what’s going on across the country when it comes to fuel retailing. In the short term, this should mean greater visibility of pump prices for drivers – and the far fairer prices that those in Northern Ireland continue to enjoy. But crucially, it should also mean it can identify occasions where wholesale price drops aren’t being properly reflected at the pumps, something our analysis shows is sadly still happening,” said Mr. Dennis.
He added: “Whichever party takes power after next month’s General Election will have the prickly job of deciding what to do about the supposedly temporary cut in fuel duty.”
“Looking at the UK’s current pump prices, it’s easy to forget this cut is meant to ease the cost of refuelling right now. As a result of the energy price crisis, many governments across Europe have since increased their duty rates again after previously helping drivers.”
