Fuel prices hit shocking £2.18per litre in parts of UK as drivers hit by Ukraine crisis

FUEL prices soared to a record £2.18 per litre in some parts of the UK today as the crisis in Ukraine hit drivers where it hurts.

And it was a petrol station in London that was spotted splurging out the eye watering price-per-litre as fuel hit record highs.

No other forecourt was seen flogging fuel at this price - but other areas of Britain have seen hefty prices for petrol and diesel in recent days.

It comes as the average price of unleaded petrol hit 161.06p per litre on Thursday - having risen 8p in a week, according to the RAC.

Meanwhile Diesel rocketed to £1.70 a litre.

The RAC warn this could get higher as the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is felt.

The monster sum for gas comes as a driver in Leicestershire was left raging after he paid more than the advertised price for his fuel.

David Lord, from Hinkley, filled up at a Morrisons in Clover Field on Wednesday - paying £68.60 for 43.5 litres of diesel, at £1.577 per litre.

But to his horror the totem pole sign at the entrance to the forecourt showed the cheaper price of £1.557 per litre.

The frustrated motorist took to Facebook, where warned fellow residents: “Be careful don’t be fooled by the prices they’re advertising as they charge you more at the till.”

Despite the soaring cost of fuel the RAC said on Friday that wholesale costs had dropped for two days in a row.

But they warned prices at the pump are set to remain high for some time.

The motoring group added that it is currently costing £88 on average to fill up a car with petrol.

And they called on the government to reduce VAT on fuel, which it said added 28p on the cost of petrol or diesel per litre.

Despite the extortionate petrol costs, there is no need to panic buy fuel.

Motorists can make a saving on their petrol by shopping and driving around.

Many of the cheapest prices are from supermarket forecourts as brands such as Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrison's look to tempt drivers to fill up as they shop.

For example, earlier this month Morrisons offered customers 7p off every litre of fuel if they spent £40 in store.

Knock-on effects

Fuel prices have been soaring amid fears of a global economic shock from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Oil prices are mainly determined by the price of crude oil and the dollar exchange rate, as agreements are made in dollars.

Russia is the third largest oil exporter but Western countries such as the US and Canada have halted imports from the country in response to Ukraine.

It means demand for oil from other producers has increased, leading to increased prices.

Soaring gas prices adds to the pressure millions of households are already facing from rising energy bills.

While the increased cost of living is also pushing up the price of food and travel leading to a tough decisions for millions of Brits.