Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fuel price war cuts costs

Pa
Friday 19 September 2008 09:20 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Total became the latest chain to cut its petrol prices today in what is developing into an all-out war among retailers.

The company slashed 3p off the cost of a litre of unleaded and diesel fuels across its network of 500 garages in England and Wales.

BP, Morrisons and Asda have all cut their forecourt prices, while Shell and Esso have promised to follow suit.

Total said the move was already being implemented, and was in line with its "policy of offering competitively priced fuel and passing on cost reductions to our customers wherever possible".

Supermarket chain Morrisons sparked the latest price war yesterday by cutting the price of fuel by 3p a litre across its 285 stations.

Rival supermarket Asda and fuel giant BP responded in turn with their own reductions.

Asda cut its fuel prices to 106.9p a litre for unleaded and 118.9p for diesel.

And BP said it was dropping its prices by "as much as 3p a litre" at most of its company-owned sites across the country.

Esso joined the war and said it will be reviewing its prices.

A spokesman for Esso said fuel sales were a "highly competitive business and we vigorously compete with competition".

Asda trading director Darren Blackhurst called on rivals to match its move in the price war.

He said: "We are calling on other retailers to follow our lead and give drivers a fair deal at the pumps, not just those that live near an Asda."

Last night Shell also said it would be passing on the falling cost of oil to its customers.

A spokesman said: "On Shell company-owned forecourts we will certainly be passing on price cuts to our customers. We always aim to remain competitive."

AA president Edmund King welcomed the price cuts.

"This is good news for the consumer but also good news for the economy as high petrol and diesel prices have fuelled inflation to 4.7 per cent," he said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in