New photos taken in the UK have captured the full scale of the panic gripping Brit drivers, who have formed long lines at the pump as petrol prices surge around the world
Petrol shortage fears have prompted massive queues in some parts of the country as the Iran war drives up the prices of wholesale oil around the world.
The Iran war, now a month in, has caused the price of oil to reach the highest since the Covid pandemic, with the crude oil benchmark hitting $119 (£90) briefly earlier today.
The rising prices come due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Middle Eastern shipping artery, and have caused petrol prices to top $4 (£3) a gallon in the US for the first time in nearly four years. In the UK, that has translated to petrol prices of 152.8p a litre, a 20p increase since the war began.
Ensuing fears have seen Brits rush to the pump, with pictures revealing the extensive queues that have built up as they desperately seek to avoid being stung by further price increases.
READ MORE: Latest data on petrol prices as cost of Iran war reaches £544m for UK motorists
New pictures have captured more than 50 vehicles queuing at a petrol station amid fears of a fuel shortage. Aerial shots show the long line of cars and lorries at Costco in Bristol today as prices in petrol and diesel continue to rocket. The desperate rush for fuel has seen some describe scenes and queues such as the one pictured as like “something out of an apocalypse film.”
The price at Costco was still cheaper than the current national average of 176.5p per litre for diesel and £148.8 for petrol. Some pumps across the country are now even advertising diesel for as much as 200p.
The conflict in the Middle East has already seen some pumps running dry with motorists panic buying and ‘no fuel’ signs across some supermarket forecourts. A number of authorities have called for calm and urged motorists not to start panic buying or stockpiling fuel, however, insisting that the UK’s fuel supply is enduring the pressure from the Middle East.
Trade bodies, the RAC and government have all remained adamant that the national fuel supply is healthy, but it hasn’t stopped drivers from feeling the burn of the rising prices.
Speaking to the BBC, Cambridge scaffolder Liam O’Brien said he has noticed the difference in prices, with the RAC estimating that it now costs an additional £10.55 to fill up a typical family petrol car, and £21.35 more for a diesel car. Mr O’Brien said the rising prices were “unacceptable” and costing him £400 extra per month.
He said: “Over three or four vans, it works out about an extra full tank’s worth a week, so it is unacceptable. It’s an extra £400 a month if we’re filling up one tank a week. Everyone’s trying to have a slice of the pie.”
