Motorists in the UK are currently paying some of the highest pump prices in Europe, latest data reveals. Diesel drivers are bearing the brunt, with the fourth highest fuel prices across the whole of the EU comprising 28 countries.
On average, diesel in the UK is creeping up to £1.47 per litre, according to data sourced from the European Commission and published by the RAC Foundation. Only drivers in Denmark, Finland and Ireland are paying more for diesel, while drivers in Malta are enjoying paying as little as £1.01 per litre.
Even when it comes to petrol, UK drivers are hit with some of the continent's highest prices. On average it is £1.40 per litre, making it the tenth most expensive, although Denmark once again has the unenviable position of being the dearest at £1.69 per litre. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
However, hard hit UK drivers have faced four consecutive months of fuel price increases. One of the main factors contributing to the UK's costly pump prices is the 52.95p per litre fuel duty which goes to the government.
The following is a list of the average petrol and diesel pump prices per litre across Europe, according to RAC statistics as of March 3.
United Kingdom
Petrol - 140p
Diesel - 146p
Austria
Petrol - 129p
Diesel - 131p
Belgium
Petrol - 135p
Diesel - 144p
Bulgaria
Petrol - 109p
Diesel - 109p
Croatia
Petrol - 129p
Diesel - 131p
Cyprus
Petrol - 118p
Diesel - 126p
Czech Republic
Petrol - 119p
Diesel - 117p
Denmark
Petrol - 164p
Diesel - 150p
Estonia
Petrol - 138p
Diesel - 129p
Finland
Petrol - 143p
Diesel - 143p
France
Petrol -147p
Diesel - 139p
Germany
Petrol - 148p
Diesel - 138p
Greece
Petrol - 150p
Diesel - 133p
Hungary
Petrol - 127p
Diesel - 131p
Ireland
Petrol - 149p
Diesel - 147p
Italy
Petrol - 150p
Diesel - 142p
Latvia
Petrol - 110p
Diesel - 109p
Lithuania
Petrol - 123p
Diesel - 132p
Luxembourg
Petrol - 125p
Diesel - 123p
Malta
Petrol - 111p
Diesel - 100p
Netherlands
Petrol - 161p
Diesel - 143p
Poland
Petrol - 122p
Diesel - 124p
Portugal
Petrol - 145p
Diesel - 137p
Romania
Petrol - 125p
Diesel - 129p
Slovakia
Petrol - 130p
Diesel - 128p
Slovenia
Petrol - 127p
Diesel - 133p
Spain
Petrol - 129p
Diesel - 123p
Sweden
Petrol - 122p
Diesel - 130p
Dan Jones, operations manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: "Diesel drivers are really feeling the squeeze when filling up. The UK's unwanted position in the top five costliest countries for diesel in Europe places us above other European powerhouses such as France and Germany. Petrol drivers only have it slightly better, but once again, the UK is dearer than 18 EU countries."
To reduce fuel consumption, TrackDays advises drivers to keep their tyres at the correct pressure to reduce rolling resistance, keep a steady pace when accelerating, reduce the weight of the vehicle by removing unnecessary items from the boot, reduce wind resistance by removing roof bars and roof boxes if they are not being used, do not use air conditioning unless it's really needed, and stick to the speed limit.
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