Looking for this month's prices? See the July 2026 fuel price tracker or today's live UK averages — updated every 15 minutes.
Here's our roundup of UK fuel prices in February 2026 and what affected costs at the pump.
Quick answer: In February 2026, petrol (E10) averaged about 136p per litre and diesel (B7) about 144p per litre across the UK forecourts we track — among the cheapest months of the year. For today's figures, see today's live UK averages.
February 2026 average prices (real forecourt data)
Based on live prices reported under the UK Government Fuel Finder scheme and tracked by Fuel Near You through February 2026:
- Petrol (E10): ~136p per litre
- Diesel (B7): ~144p per litre
- Diesel premium over petrol: about 8p per litre — unusually narrow
Prices were stable through the month after the volatility of late 2025, though regional variations remained significant. (These are averages of tens of thousands of live price readings; individual forecourts ranged several pence either side.)
Regional price differences
Fuel prices varied considerably across the UK in February, following the usual pattern:
- Northern Ireland was the cheapest region — typically 3–6p below the UK average, thanks to intense forecourt competition.
- Scotland and the North of England sat slightly below average.
- Wales and the South of England sat slightly above.
- London was the most expensive area, typically 2–4p above the national average.
- Rural areas paid 3–5p more than nearby towns due to lower competition and higher delivery costs.
What affected prices?
Oil prices
Brent crude traded between roughly $75–82 per barrel during the month — relatively stable compared with recent years. That stability fed straight through to steady pump prices.
Sterling exchange rate
Oil is bought in dollars, so the pound's strength matters. Sterling held steady through February, avoiding the import-cost pressure that a weaker pound brings.
Fuel duty
UK fuel duty remained frozen at 52.95p per litre, with the temporary 5p cut still in place. Duty plus 20% VAT makes up over half the pump price at these levels.
Where the best prices were
Supermarket forecourts offered the most competitive prices, as usual:
- Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons typically undercut branded stations by 4–8p per litre.
- Costco offered the cheapest fuel of all, but requires membership — see our Costco fuel guide.
- Independent stations in competitive areas matched or beat supermarket prices in plenty of towns.
Use the live map to compare current prices at stations near you.
What happened next
February turned out to be the calm before a steep climb. From these lows, prices rose sharply through the spring — petrol averaged around 160–163p and diesel touched 187–189p by April–May 2026 — before easing again over the summer. Follow the monthly price updates and today's live averages to stay current.
Figures are averages of live forecourt prices tracked by Fuel Near You under the UK Government Fuel Finder scheme, rounded to the nearest penny.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much was diesel in February 2026?
Diesel (B7) averaged about 144p per litre at UK forecourts in February 2026, based on live prices tracked by Fuel Near You under the government Fuel Finder scheme. Local prices ranged several pence either side.
How much was petrol in February 2026?
Petrol (E10) averaged about 136p per litre in the UK in February 2026 — one of the cheaper months of the year before prices rose sharply through the spring.
Did fuel prices rise after February 2026?
Yes. From February's lows (petrol ~136p, diesel ~144p) prices climbed steeply: by April–May 2026 petrol averaged around 160–163p and diesel peaked near 187–189p, before easing back through the summer.
Why were fuel prices low in February 2026?
Stable oil prices (Brent traded around $75–82 a barrel), a steady pound and quiet seasonal demand kept wholesale costs down, and forecourt competition passed that through to the pumps.