Fuel prices drop again in September, saving drivers £3.60 a tank

Fuel prices marginally fell in September, showing a consistent downward trend, to the relief of drivers.

The average price of petrol and diesel dropped by 6.5p in September - the ninth biggest monthly drop since 2000, according to data from RAC.

An average litre of unleaded now comes in at 134.79p – down from 141.26p at the start of the month – saving drivers up to £3.60 a tank on an average-size family car.

The price of diesel has also dropped from 146p to 139.5p.

Compared with the start of May, petrol has fallen by 15.5p from 150.3p a litre – saving drivers £10 on the cost of a full tank. Diesel, meanwhile, has tumbled 18.5p from 158p.

The falling prices are thought to reflect a drop in the price of oil, which has come down from $78 (around £59) at the beginning of September to $72 (around £55) at the end.

In July, the price of a barrel of oil was closer to $90 (around £69). Blended with a pound which is trading more strongly than before, it means that wholesale fuel for retailers is cheaper to purchase.

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The RAC believes that if the wholesale price of petrol remains the same drivers could experience even further savings on their fuel.

Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “Drivers will be very pleased to see prices at the pump not only continuing to fall but dropping by 6.5p in just a month.

“Since the start of May prices have come down dramatically, with 15.5p being shaved off unleaded and 18.5p off diesel.

“The reductions have primarily been driven by a drop in the price of oil from above $90 in early April to below $70 briefly in mid-September, supported by a slightly stronger pound which makes wholesale fuel cheaper as it’s traded in dollars.

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