With renewed fighting between the US and Iran, UK fuel prices are soaring, reaching levels we haven’t seen since the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Diesel, in particular, is approaching a record high. For business owners and drivers alike, these rapid changes can feel unsettling and unpredictable. In this blog, we’ll break down what’s driving the latest surge, what it means for UK businesses, and practical steps you can take to manage costs and keep your operations moving.
September 2026 fuel prices: what's happening?
If you’ve filled up your tank lately, you’ve probably noticed it costs a lot more than it did even a few weeks ago. UK fuel prices have jumped sharply throughout September, mainly due to renewed tensions between the US and Iran.
Average pump prices are now as high as they were in early August 2022, just months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent oil markets into chaos. In just the past few weeks, prices have risen by around 8p per litre, putting extra pressure on drivers and businesses alike.
Diesel drivers are feeling the pinch most, with warnings that the average price could soon surpass the all-time high of 199.2p per litre set in June 2022. Petrol prices are also at a four-year high, though still below their own record of 191.6p from July 2022. If you rely on your vehicle for work or running a business, these increases can make a real difference to your bottom line.
Behind the scenes, Brent crude oil has surged above $100 a barrel, a level we haven’t seen since the immediate aftermath of the 2022 invasion. When global oil prices stay this high, it’s only a matter of time before those costs filter through to the pump, affecting everyone from individual drivers to entire fleets.
For anyone running a business or managing a fleet, the recent surge in fuel prices is hitting hard. Filling up a typical 55-litre diesel van now costs about £24 more per tank than it did before the latest conflict. If diesel prices reach their 2022 record, you could pay £31 more each time you fill up.
Why is this happening? Understanding the story behind the fuel price rises
If you feel like you’ve seen this before, you’re not wrong. This isn’t the first time fuel prices have jumped in 2026. It’s the latest twist in a conflict that’s been simmering and flaring up since February:
28 February 2026: US and Israeli strikes on Iran begin, triggering the initial spike and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for roughly 20% of the world's oil supply.
April 2026: A ceasefire is agreed and extended indefinitely.
17 June 2026: The Islamabad Memorandum formalises a broader de-escalation process. Prices fall sharply; diesel has its biggest-ever monthly drop.
July 2026: The agreement collapses after Iran strikes commercial vessels bypassing its approved Strait of Hormuz route. Fighting resumes.
September 2026: Renewed missile exchanges between the US and Iran push prices to their highest point of the year.
Why does this pattern matter? For businesses, it means that today’s high prices might be here to stay for a while. The last ceasefire held for only about three months before things escalated again, so it’s wise to plan for these prices to persist in the medium term rather than expecting a quick drop.
Another cost pressure: rising fuel duty
It’s not just geopolitics making fuel more expensive. Fuel duty, which had been frozen at 52.95p per litre since 2022, went up by 1p at the start of September. There are already more increases on the horizon: another 2p in December, 2p more in March 2027, and then annual rises after that. For fleet operators, this means that both global events and government tax hikes are pushing up costs at the same time, with more increases guaranteed in the coming months.
What does this mean for your business?
The impact on your bottom line can be significant, especially if you're a fleet manager managing multiple vehicles.
For example, if you run a fleet of 20 vans (each getting 35mpg and covering 20,000 miles a year), today’s diesel prices mean you’re paying about £1,100 more per van each year compared to before the conflict. Across your whole fleet, that’s an extra £22,000 a year. And if diesel prices climb back to the 2022 record, those costs will rise even further.
Our advice for managing high fuel prices
Given how this conflict has unfolded, with one ceasefire lasting a few months before breaking down, we recommend planning for ongoing volatility rather than hoping for a quick fix.
Adjust your budget to account for a range of possible prices, not just a single estimate. Model your costs at today’s prices, at the 2022 record high, and at a possible partial drop; this approach is more realistic than relying on a single forecast that could easily miss the mark.
Stay on top of your fuel spend in real time. In such a fast-moving market, waiting until the end of the month to review invoices just isn’t enough. Use fuel card reporting tools that provide daily insights by vehicle and driver, so you can spot trends and take action as they happen, not weeks later.
Reduce the miles (and wasted fuel) that you can control. Optimising routes and cutting down on unnecessary idling can save you more than ever, because every penny per mile matters more as prices rise. Have a conversation with your drivers to make them aware of the cost of idling.
Pay attention to where your drivers are filling up. The price difference between forecourts can be over 20p per litre. Using our fuel station site locator or app to guide drivers to the cheapest suitable station nearby can result in significant savings, especially when prices are high.
Take another look at driver habits and vehicle maintenance. Things like maintaining proper tyre pressure, smooth acceleration, and avoiding excessive idling can save a surprising amount of fuel, and those small savings are even more valuable when prices are high.
If you’ve been thinking about adding electric vehicles to your fleet, now is a good time to revisit the numbers. With the price gap between diesel at the pump and electricity at the depot widening, electrification may make more sense for some routes than ever before.
How Right Fuel Card supports your business
We’re keeping a close eye on the situation and will keep you updated as things change.
In the meantime, here’s how we can help:
Our real-time reporting gives you daily visibility into fuel spend by vehicle and driver, so you’re never caught off guard by month-end surprises.
Our fuel station site locator and app help your drivers find the best-priced compatible forecourt nearby, something that’s even more valuable now, with regional price gaps so wide.
Your account manager is always available to talk through what these changes mean for your fleet and mileage profile and help you find the best way forward.
We'll continue to track how this develops and update this guidance as the picture changes. If you'd like to talk through how rising prices affect your specific fleet, please get in touch with your account manager or our team.
About Right Fuel Card
Right Fuel Card is a leading UK business fuel card provider dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to large fleets, take control of their fuel costs and simplify fuel expense management. With access to over 98% of fuel stations across the UK, competitive pricing, and HMRC-approved digital invoicing, we make fuel management effortless whilst helping you save money. Our comprehensive service includes detailed online reporting, dedicated customer support, and optional RightProtect legal support for complete peace of mind on the road. Whether you're managing a single vehicle or an entire fleet, Right Fuel Card provides the tools and support you need to operate efficiently and compliantly.
Ready to start saving on fuel costs? Compare fuel cards online to find the perfect solution for your business. It takes just minutes to see how much you could save, and our expert team is ready to help you get started today.
This article was written on Tuesday, 15th September 2026 and published on Tuesday, 15th September 2026. All information contained within is correct at the time of writing. We try our best to continue to update our guides, but not all guides are regularly reviewed - for the latest news and insight visit: rightfuelcard.co.uk/news-insights
