The figures show that average UK fleet diesel prices rose from 142.21p per litre in February to 190.13p in April, before falling to 186.64p in May. That means May’s average was still 44.43p per litre higher than in February, despite a month-on-month fall of 3.49p.
For road transport operators, the data points to a partial easing rather than a return to normal. Fuel remains one of the largest variable costs in haulage, and a sustained increase of more than 40p per litre can quickly affect weekly cash flow, especially for high-mileage fleets.
The Allstar figures show three sharp monthly movements. Diesel rose by 20.97p per litre in March, increased by a further 26.95p in April, and then fell by 3.49p in May. According to Fleet World, every UK region recorded a fall in average diesel prices in May, but none returned to its February or March level.
Regional gap widens as prices fall unevenly
The May fall was not evenly spread across the UK. Northern Ireland recorded the largest month-on-month decline, with average diesel prices down 6.04p per litre, while Scotland recorded a fall of 3.93p, Wales 3.49p and England 3.32p.
Despite the fall, diesel prices remained well above February levels across all four nations. In Northern Ireland, average diesel was still 43.66p per litre higher than in February. In England, the gap was 44.48p, while Scotland was 44.28p higher and Wales 45.82p higher.
The regional spread also widened. According to the data, Co Londonderry recorded the lowest May diesel average at 175.05p per litre, followed by Co Fermanagh, Belfast, Co Tyrone, Co Down, Antrim and Armagh. At the other end of the scale, Monmouthshire recorded the highest May diesel average at 190.64p per litre.
That left a gap of 15.59p per litre between the cheapest and most expensive regions in May, wider than the 12.78p spread recorded in April.
Fuel volatility keeps pressure on operators
Paul Holland, managing director for UK/ANZ Vehicle Payments at Corpay, including UK brand Allstar, said in comments reported by Fleet World that the data showed how difficult fuel-cost management had become for operators.
“The challenge for businesses is no longer simply that fuel is expensive. It is the speed and unpredictability with which prices are moving,” Holland said.
The figures are based on Allstar’s aggregated UK fleet fuel card data, rather than a general retail pump-price survey. As a result, they reflect fleet card transactions within Allstar’s network and should not be read as a direct equivalent of all UK forecourt prices.
Even so, the trend underlines the scale of cost pressure still facing operators. May’s decline reduced some of the increase seen in April, but fleet diesel prices remained far above the levels recorded before the earlier price spike.
