Motorists are being advised to stick to their usual refuelling habits, despite concerns that conflict in the Middle East could drive up petrol prices.
Drivers are urged to avoid panic-buying petrol as Middle East conflict pushes oil prices higher
Recent attacks by Iran on ships and ports along its southern border have pushed Brent crude to a near two-year high. The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil, is a potential choke point, but alternative routes mean supplies to the UK remain secure.
Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents around 65 per cent of UK forecourts, explained Monday had seen a busier-than-usual day, with sales up 30 per cent.
He told the he said: “This is not at the panic-buying stage and certainly not at a point where forecourts are running out of fuel. There’s plenty of fuel in the UK. Some people are filling up in anticipation of a pump price increase, but we would ask people to continue to buy fuel in their normal buying pattern because any price increases will take time to filter through to the pump.”
While some stations experienced queues or temporarily closed pumps, most of these were caused by power outages, maintenance, or delayed deliveries rather than panic buying. Supermarkets selling petrol reported no unusual demand.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said the conflict could influence UK prices but warned against expecting sudden spikes.
He said: “Wholesale fuel costs have been rising gradually. Even though Brent crude rose by $5 a barrel yesterday to $78, the impact of this shouldn’t be felt for over a week.”
Edmund King, president of the AA, added that while prices would likely rise in the coming weeks, drivers should not alter their refuelling routines. He noted that petrol is still significantly cheaper than at the same time last year, making a full tank over £3.50 less expensive than in early March 2025.
Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said that oil price increases are often temporary, adding: “Oil price spikes usually follow conflict outbreaks, but the bigger concern is how long the situation escalates, rather than the immediate effects.”