The RAC has praised independents and smaller forecourts for having more competitive fuel prices than the supermarkets.
The motoring organisation said the average price of petrol fell by nearly 7p a litre to 162.89p in September – the sixth biggest monthly drop since 2000 – saving drivers more than £3.50 a tank (£3.68). However, data from RAC Fuel Watch also shows drivers should have seen a further 10p reduction had “major retailers not upped their margins”.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “While there are no rules on what retailers can charge for their fuel, it remains the case that the supermarkets are extremely influential in determining the UK average pump prices as they sell so much fuel.
“However, as many drivers will have noticed there lots of smaller forecourts which are now selling fuel much cheaper than the supermarkets. We would urge everyone to shop around for the best deals rather than simply assuming the supermarkets are the lowest because they have been in the past.”
In response, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “I was pleased to see that the RAC have highlighted that independents and smaller forecourts are more competitive than the supermarkets. My advice to motorists is to shop around.”
He added: “We welcome the government’s recently announced support for businesses’ energy bills, but this is for six months only. The PRA have been lobbying the government to express the need for support beyond six months as Forecourts are crucial for the UK’s economy to continue to function.”
