Petrol prices in Britain have fallen 24% in a year – how does that compare to other countries?
UK petrol prices have fallen by 24% in a year and are now 45 cents a liter cheaper: how does that compare to other major countries?
- Gasoline and diesel prices are down 24% from 2022 record highs
- British drivers pay average rates for fuel compared to other countries
- But British motorists also saved the most, with fuel prices falling the fastest
Falling fuel prices offer relief to motorists in Britain – but how much are motorists saving compared to other countries?
A year ago, the price of petrol and diesel hit an all-time high, with drivers in many areas paying more than £2 a liter to fill up.
Now the average motorist pays 143.47 pence for a liter of petrol, compared to 188.74 pj a year ago, according to the AA – a saving of 45.3 pence.
That means a saving of £25.71 for every 500 miles driven in a petrol car that achieves 40 miles per gallon – £81.49 in total, compared to £107.20 last June.
Pump pain: Last year petrol and diesel prices rose, prompting drivers to rant at UK petrol stations
For diesel, motorists paid 196.36 pence per liter in June 2022, compared to 145.33 pence now, 51.3 pence less.
Compared to June 2019, however, petrol costs 15 pence per liter more and diesel is 11 pence per liter more expensive.
| Country | June 2023 | June 2022 | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 172.16 | 209.03 | 36.87 |
| Switzerland | 160.17 | 197.27 | 37.11 |
| Greece | 160.00 | 197.85 | 37.84 |
| France | 159.91 | 173.77 | 13.86 |
| Germany | 158.55 | 161.12 | 2.57 |
| Italy | 157.18 | 168.42 | 24.11 |
| The Netherlands | 156.16 | 7:30 pm | 36.14 |
| Belgium | 146.26 | 172.29 | 26.02 |
| Portugal | 143.87 | 173.12 | 29:25 |
| UK | 143.47 | 188.74 | 45.27 |
| Sweden | 141.80 | 183.05 | 41.25 |
| Ireland | 137.10 | 177.03 | 39.93 |
| Spain | 136.32 | 174.80 | 38.47 |
| Austria | 134.13 | 170.50 | 36.37 |
| Luxembourg | 133.28 | 158.59 | 25.31 |
| Cyprus | 117.75 | 146.98 | 29.23 |
| US | 74.27 | 109.97 | 35.70 |
| Source: The AA, average pump prices in pence per litre | |||
The cheapest place to fill up with petrol in June is Asda, the AA said, with average petrol prices of 140.01 pa-litres. BP was the most expensive at 145.21p.
For diesel drivers, Sainsbury’s was the cheapest filling station with 141.36 pa-litres. Again, BP came out the most expensive at 147.71p.
Average petrol prices in the UK are in the middle of the pack compared to other countries, but they have fallen the furthest in the past year.
The average UK driver now saves £45.27 on a liter of petrol, the biggest savings of any country surveyed by the AA.
The smallest savings were in Germany, where drivers now pay just 2.57 pence per liter less than in June 2022.
For motorists planning to take their car abroad for a holiday, it may be a smart move to fill up before leaving UK shores.
Petrol in France is currently 16.4p per liter more expensive, although diesel is slightly cheaper at 143.10p per liter compared to the UK average of 145.33p.
Luke Bosdet, from AA, said: ‘With all the gloom of high inflation and rising interest rates, the much lower cost of petrol and diesel brings some cheer towards the summer season, with a little more savings for holidaymakers driving to some parts of the country. Europe.’