Motoring experts explain you shouldn’t start panic buying fuel

Business & FinanceCars
4 Mar 2026 • 2:46 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Motorists are being urged to avoid panic buying petrol despite concerns that fuel prices may rise due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
  • Oil prices have already increased following the regional war, with analysts predicting the impact could reach forecourts within weeks.
  • Both the AA and RAC advise against altering refuelling habits, highlighting that higher wholesale costs typically take time to filter through to the pump.
  • The AA noted that pump averages are still below where they started the year, and petrol is cheaper than this time last year.
  • The Petrol Retailers Association expects pump prices to increase and has called on the Chancellor to abandon planned fuel duty rises to help motorists.

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