Petrol and diesel prices across the European Union (EU) hit their highest levels last week, according to the European Commission, with motorists now paying significantly more to fill up.
The latest data showed petrol reaching a weighted EU average of €2.06 (RM9.65) per litre on Sept 14, while diesel climbed to €2.15 (RM10.12) per litre.
That means filling a 50-litre petrol tank now costs around €103 (RM483), while a diesel vehicle would cost about €108 (RM506) to fill up at the latest average prices.
One factor behind the increase is refining margins — the cost involved in turning crude oil into fuel. Prices are also expected to remain elevated, with European Central Bank (ECB) experts telling Euronews that diesel refining margins are expected to peak in October.
Fuel prices have surged since the conflict in West Asia began, adding further pressure to inflation. Energy inflation in the eurozone rose to 14.3% in August, up from 10.3% in July, according to the ECB.
European crude oil supplies could also face further disruption. Bloomberg reported that Saudi Aramco had informed at least two European refineries that they would not receive supplies under long-term contracts in October following attacks on a key Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea.
The report, citing people familiar with the decision, said the move applies to all European buyers.
Since the beginning of 2026, the EU’s weighted average petrol price has risen by around 29%, while diesel has jumped by nearly 40%.
Both prices are now at their highest levels in the European Commission’s data series, which dates back to 2005. Petrol previously reached its highest level in 2022, while diesel last came close to its current price in April this year.
