The UK’s fuel price postcode lottery

Drivers could pay up to £253 more in fuel per year than motorists living in other areas of the country where petrol is at its cheapest, according to new research by Santander Credit Cards.

The latest study reveals the UK’s petrol postcode lottery and highlights the disparity in fuel prices between the least and most expensive areas of the UK.

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Scottish drivers in the Western Isles have experienced the greatest hike in petrol costs over the last few years with fuel prices in the Shetland Isles – officially the most expensive place to refuel in the UK – averaging 145.9 pence per litre.

This is 11% more expensive than the cheapest place to top up your tank in the UK – Grampian on mainland Scotland – at 129.7 pence per litre.

The study shows the recorded 16.2 pence per litre inequality could make a £253 difference in fuel costs over 12,000 miles per year.

Excluding Scotland, the most expensive place in the UK for a litre of petrol was reported to be Humberside at 137.9, while the cheapest at just 130.9 pence per litre was in Denbighshire, Wales.

The data also uncovered that fuel prices experience a hike in popular tourist destinations. Average petrol prices in Cornwall and Devon were recorded at 133.6 and 132.7 respectively, upping the cost for fuel in the South West region.

Since 2009 the typical price of a litre of premium unleaded petrol has risen by 46% and reached record heights in April this year.

CEO at Santander Cards, Alan Mathewson:

“These seemingly small variations in fuel prices across the UK can actually have a significant impact on overall spending, particularly for drivers who really clock up the miles. This highlights the importance of keeping an eye on pump prices, even if shopping around for the cheapest isn’t always feasible or economical.”

The regional breakdown of petrol costs in pence per litre for the UK:

1 ) Yorkshire and Humberside – 133.4

2 ) South West – 133.2

3 ) Wales – 133.1

4 ) West Midlands – 133.0

5 ) Scotland – 132.8

6 ) East Midlands – 132.8

7 ) North East – 132.5

8 ) London – 132.3

9 ) East of England – 132.3

10 ) South East – 132.2

11 ) Northern Island – 132.1

12 ) North West – 131.9

London petrol cheaper than Euro rivals

Report: are petrol prices being fixed?

Fuel prices – everything you need to know