Fury over ‘too-high’ fuel prices: Petrol stations come under fire for ripping off drivers despite a slump in oil prices

Petrol stations are under fire for ripping off drivers as the cost of fuel remains stubbornly high despite a slump in oil prices this week.

Motorists paid 4.52p more per litre of petrol in September as the cost of oil climbed, with the average price at the pump rising to 157.01p last month.

But the price of a barrel of oil has dropped more than £8 in the last 10 days making it cheaper for forecourts to stock up on fuel.

However, the savings have not been passed on to motorists – a litre of petrol still costs 157.02p – and campaigners accused retailers of keeping prices ‘needlessly high’.

Lobbyists urged retailers to ‘do the right thing’ and reduce fuel prices for consumers. In response, forecourts said they were facing rising operational costs.

Fuel prices have stuck at 157.02p a litre despite the cost of oil slumping by more than £8 in the last 10 days per barrel

Howard Cox from campaign group Fair Fuel UK said motorists are being ripped off.

‘The fuel supply chain continues to go unchecked to ride roughshod over the cost of filling up,’ he said.

‘Pump prices, particularly petrol, are much more expensive than necessary and continue to remain opaque to drivers, keeping inflation needlessly high in a cost-of-living crisis.’

The latest data from the RAC showed a litre of petrol was 157.02p on Thursday – meaning it now costs £86.30 to fill a standard family car.

Diesel was 154.78p per litre at the start of September before jumping to 163.11p within the month – the fifth biggest monthly rise in the last 23 years- and prices had reached 162.46p per litre by Thursday.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said the sudden oil price drop ‘should soon bring some welcome relief to drivers at the pumps’.

‘The biggest retailers will no doubt be buying new supply at much lower wholesale prices due to the fact they get through the most fuel,’ he said.

‘It remains to be seen, however, whether they will then do the right thing and pass on the savings they’re benefitting from to drivers on their forecourts up and down the country.’

The AA said it can take up to two weeks for a drop in oil prices to be passed on at the pump ‘if retailers play it fair’.

An AA spokesperson said: ‘By mid-October, unless the oil market turns again, drivers should know… whether “rocket and feather” pump pricing still plagues motorists.

‘Pump prices need to fall soon because the onset of autumn nights and weather makes car engines work harder and increases fuel consumption.’

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents 64 per cent of all forecourts, say garages are facing increased operating costs

However, the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents 64pc of all forecourts, said garages are facing increased operational costs.

The organisation’s executive director Gordon Balmer said: ‘To address rising labour expenses, energy costs and the highest inflation rates in recent years and reduced fuel sales, margins have inevitably increased.’

It comes as the latest figures show demand for petrol and diesel cars remains high despite a push towards electric vehicles.

Figures from motor industry body SMMT this week showed that the sale of electric cars plummeted 14 per cent in September compared to last year.

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk