Fuel prices have hit a new record high as the average price for diesel in the UK has reached 186.57p per litre, according to the latest RAC data.

Prices have increased due to the price of crude oil, which is used to make petrol and diesel, has gone up.

Crude oil was cheaper at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as many businesses temporarily closed and demand for energy collapsed.

As coronavirus restrictions eased, the demand for energy increased but suppliers have struggled to keep up and prices have risen.

The average price of petrol has increased from 178.5p on Monday to 180.7p on Tuesday, bringing the cost of filling up an average 55-litre family car to £99.40, according to RAC data.

This has been the largest weekly increase for both fuels since March.

RAC fuel spokesperson, Simon Williams said the average price of petrol crossing the “thoroughly depressing threshold of £100 a tank” meant it was “a truly dark day” for drivers.

The News Shopper used price-comparison website PetrolPrices to find the cheapest petrol stations in each south east London borough.

The data shows the cheapest petrol stations within five miles of each borough.

Here are the results:

Bexley (Within five miles):

Petrol (Unleaded):

1. Tesco Sidcup: 176.9p

2. Sainsbury’s Eltham: 176.9p

3. Jet Bostall Hill (Thamesmead Garage): 177.0p

4. Sainsbury’s Crayford: 177.9p

Diesel:

1. Sainsbury’s Eltham: 182.9p

2. Tesco Sidcup: 183.9p

3. Morrisons Erith: 183.9p

4. Sainsbury’s Crayford: 184.9p

Bromley (Within five miles):

Diesel:

1. Sainsbury’s Eltham: 182.9p

2. Tesco Sidcup: 183.9p

3. Shell Kent Gate Way (Shell Addington): 184.9p

4. Harvest Energy Sidcup (W J King Garages): 184.9p

Petrol (Unleaded):

1. Sainsbury’s Crystal Palace: 173.9p

2. Sainsbury’s Sydenham: 176.9p

3. Sainsbury’s Eltham: 176.9p

4. Tesco Lewisham: 176.9p

Lewisham (Within five miles)

Petrol (Unleaded):

1. Sainsbury’s Cross Gate: 170.9p

2. Asda Charlton: 172.7p

3. Asda Docklands Automat: 174.7p

4. Asda Bethnal Green Vallance Road: 174.7p

Diesel:

1. Asda Docklands Automat: 181.7p

2. Asda Charlton: 181.7p

3. Applegreen Kennington Lane: 181.8p

4. Sainsbury’s Charlton Riverside: 182.9p

Greenwich (Within five miles)

Petrol (Unleaded):

1. Sainsbury’s New Cross Gate: 170.9p

2. Asda Charlton: 172.7p

3. Sainsbury’s Beckton: 173.9p

4. Asda Docklands Automat: 174.7p

Diesel:

1. Asda Docklands Automat: 181.7p

2. Asda Charlton: 181.7p

3. Applegreen Kennington Lane: 181.8p

4. Sainsburys Charlton Riverside: 182.9p

Simon Williams said: “With analysts predicting that oil will average 135 US dollars a barrel for the rest of this year, drivers need to brace themselves for average fuel prices rocketing to £2 a litre, which would mean a fill-up would rise to an unbelievable £110.

“The oil price is rising due to increased demand for fuel across the world as China eases its Covid restrictions and America and Europe go into the peak summer driving season.

"There’s almost certainly going to be upward inflationary pressure, which is bad news for everybody.

“While fuel prices have been setting new records on a daily basis, households up and down the country may never have expected to see the cost of filling an average-sized family car reach three figures.”

Around 50 sites on UK motorways or major A roads are charging 202.9p per litre, according to PetrolPrices.

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