Petrol and diesel drivers are facing a significant financial burden as fuel prices continue to rise, with a £55 or £60 tax hit per tank following changes in April. The surge in prices is largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has disrupted global oil supplies.
Diesel Prices Skyrocket
Diesel prices have skyrocketed by a third, leaving drivers with eye-watering fill-up costs of £134 and a £60 tax burden. Research from Land Rover Monthly reveals that diesel prices rose by 36.5% in just nine weeks. According to data from PetrolPrices.co.uk, the average price climbed from 140.72p per litre on February 9 to 192.14p by April 13. For drivers with a typical 70-litre tank, the cost of filling up jumped from around £98.50 in February to roughly £134.50 at April's peak, an increase of more than £36 per tank.
Petrol Prices Also Climb
Unleaded petrol prices also increased by 20.3% over the same period, moving from 131.46p to 158.17p per litre. This means a full 70-litre petrol fill has risen from about £92 to nearly £111. Of that amount, approximately £55.52 is made up of combined fuel duty and VAT for petrol drivers, while diesel drivers face around £60 in taxes per tank.
Impact on Land Rover Owners
Drivers of Land Rover vehicles have been particularly hard hit by the combination of high diesel prices and car taxes. Steve Miller, Publisher of Land Rover Monthly, commented: "Fuel prices have become one of the biggest shared frustrations in the Land Rover community." He added: "Land Rovers are part of rural life, work, family memories and British motoring heritage. For some owners, they are cherished classics used sparingly. For others, especially later Defenders, they are still practical vehicles used week in, week out."
Mr Miller emphasized the broader impact: "What unites everyone is that the cost of fuel is being felt every time they fill up. When almost £60 of tax can be built into a single 70-litre diesel fill-up, ministers need to recognise the pressure on rural drivers, working vehicles and classic 4x4 enthusiasts." He noted that events like Land Rover Monthly Live bring the community together to celebrate vehicles and discuss real issues affecting ownership.
