Fleet fuel costs continue to rise

Increasing fuel prices are forcing fleets to pay thousands of pounds extra at the pumps just to cover the same number of miles.

According to new figures, operators with diesel-powered vehicles have been hit hardest, as the cost of this fuel is rising far more rapidly than that of petrol.

According to the AA, the average cost of diesel is now 117.3 pence a litre and in some areas is closer to £1.20 a litre.

The AA figures reveal the price of unleaded petrol rose by more than two pence in the past month and diesel prices rose even more dramatically - by five pence per litre.

Following the latest round of price increases, the UK now has the second highest diesel prices in Europe and the tenth highest unleaded prices.

What’s more, fleet operators have been warned to expect further increases in fuel prices in the coming weeks, with one fuel comparison website predicting petrol prices to hit £1.50 a litre by the end of the summer.

Brendan McLoughlin, managing director of petrolprices.com, said the website had predicted in February that petrol would hit £1.50 a litre this year, but if these conditions continue and the government doesn't work harder to stem the rising prices, then we're likely to hit £1.50 a litre by September.