Welsh motorists are getting some of the cheapest petrol and diesel in the UK, according to data from RAC Fuel Watch.
Fuel prices fell for the fifth straight month in March with another penny coming off petrol and 4p off diesel.
By the end of the month nationally a litre of unleaded was 146.5p (down from 147.56p) – a price last seen at the end of January 2022, while diesel reduced to 162.94p (down from 167.06p) – its cheapest price since early March last year.
In Wales, petrol went down to 145.05p in March and diesel slipped almost 4ppl to 160.37ppl..
The RAC said calculations showed that retailers could cut diesel prices more steeply than they have done.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said, “The fifth consecutive fall in the price of fuel in as many months is without doubt good news for drivers, but those who run diesel vehicles should have enjoyed far bigger cuts at the pumps than they have actually seen.
“Knowing the average price in Northern Ireland is 10p cheaper at 152.78p is utterly galling for those on this side of the Irish Sea who rely on diesel, whether that’s for personal or business use.
“We hope the Competition and Markets Authority is paying close attention. The situation in Northern Ireland shows just how much diesel should really be being sold for. While there are several reasons why petrol and diesel are generally cheaper in Northern Ireland, it also can’t go unnoticed that the supermarkets aren’t as dominant in fuel retailing there as they are on the mainland.
“It simply cannot be fair on drivers that the retailer margin on diesel is currently three times more than the long-term average at 21p a litre. While retailers are free to charge what they like for fuel we feel there should be an obligation on the those which sell the most, and therefore buy most frequently, to closely reflect what’s happening on the wholesale market. If this had been the case then the forecourt price of diesel would have been down to around 152p a litre, even with an above-average margin.
“If a small retailer at Whitchurch in Shropshire can afford to sell both petrol and diesel for just 142.9p a litre, then there’s surely no reason why the big four supermarkets can’t as well.”