In February 2025, one gallon of diesel cost an average of 3.68 U.S. dollars in the United States. That was an increase compared to two months prior, which was the lowest price in the past 24-month period. Impact of crude prices on motor fuel consumer prices Diesel prices are primarily determined by the cost of crude oil. In fact, crude oil regularly accounts for around 50 percent of end consumer prices of diesel. As such, supply restrictions or weak demand outlooks influence prices at the pump. The fall in diesel prices noted in the latter half of 2024 is a reflection of lower crude prices. Diesel and gasoline price development The usage of distillate fuel oil began in the 1930s, but until further development in the 1960s, diesel vehicles were mostly applied to commercial use only. In the U.S., diesel-powered cars remain a fairly small portion of the automobile market and diesel consumption is far lower than gasoline consumption. In general, gasoline also tends to be more widely available than diesel fuel and usually sells for a lower retail price. However, diesel engines have better fuel economy than gasoline engines, and, as such, tend to be used for large commercial vehicles.

The average price for regular gasoline in the United States stood at 3.08 U.S. dollars per gallon on March 17, 2025. This compared to a diesel price of 3.59 U.S. dollars per gallon. Prices for gasoline and diesel decreased that week. Real price surge of 2022 and 2023 still below 2011 to 2014 prices When looking at the real price of gasoline over time, U.S. drivers had to pay notably more in the years between 2011 and 2014. The surge in prices noted throughout 2022 and partly for 2023, which followed supply constraints, was still lower in terms of real U.S. dollars. U.S. on the lower-end spectrum of worldwide motor fuel prices The U.S. has some of the lowest conventional motor fuel prices in the world. Although fuel prices are usually higher in high-income countries, the U.S. profits from its position as the world’s largest crude oil producer and can keep retail prices for oil products comparatively low. For example, among high-income countries, prices for automotive premium gasoline (RON 95) were only lower in Russia and Saudi Arabia - countries where crude oil and oil product exports are in part restricted by sanctions, thus keeping domestic supply high.

The global fuel energy price index stood at 188.62 index points in January 2025, up from 100 in the base year 2016. Figures increased that month due to a rise in crude oil prices as a result of new sanctions on Russian oil and greater heating fuel demand. The fuel energy index includes prices for crude oil, natural gas, coal, and propane. Supply constraints across multiple commodities The global natural gas price index surged nearly 11-fold, and the global coal price index rose almost seven-fold from summer 2020 to summer 2022. This notable escalation was largely attributed to the Russia-Ukraine war, exerting increased pressure on the global supply chain. Global ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine war The invasion of Ukraine by Russia played a role in the surge of global inflation rates. Notably, Argentina bore the brunt, experiencing a hyperinflation rate of 92 percent in 2022. The war also exerted a significant impact on global gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Saudi Arabia emerged with a notable increase of nearly three percent, as several Western nations shifted their exports from Russia to Middle Eastern countries due to the sanctions imposed on the former.

On March 24, 2025, the price of ultra-low sulfur unleaded petrol (gasoline) in the United Kingdom averaged 135.61 pence per liter. This compared to 143.07 pence per liter for diesel. Diesel prices were consistently higher than petrol/gasoline prices throughout this period, although the margin varied. Reasons for such differences in pricing lie in the refining process and molecular makeup of the products, with diesel requiring more complex refining processes and being an overall heavier liquid. As motor fuel pricing in the UK is not regulated by a monitoring body, there may also be notable differences in prices between retailers and regions. Supermarkets provide lowest fuel prices in the UK In the UK, much of the motor fuel is sold through supermarkets. Large supermarkets, or hypermarkets, account for more than 40 percent of all motor fuel sales in the country. The reason for their popularity often lies in the fact that they offer lower average prices. In the last four years, regular petrol/gasoline sold at supermarkets was up to six pence per liter cheaper than the national average. How UK fuel prices compare to the rest of the world Tied as they are to crude oil prices, motor fuels are generally cheapest in major producing countries, such as Iran, Venezuela, and Russia. In Europe, costs of importing the raw or finished products, in addition to taxes and levies, may hike up pump prices significantly. The UK is often among the countries with the highest petrol/gasoline prices, alongside other large European car markets such as France and Germany.

U.S. gasoline prices increased across all major grades in February 2025. Regular gasoline prices rose to an average of 3.12 U.S. dollars per gallon. In the period of consideration, gasoline prices reached their highest level in June 2022. Differences in fuel grades Fuel grades at U.S. gas stations are differentiated by octane level. Higher grade fuels have higher octane levels, meaning that the fuel can be compressed more in the engine. This enables high-performance engines to create more power. Fuel may also vary from state to state and pump to pump. Some cities also have regulations on gasoline in order to improve air quality. Bioethanol is added to gasoline in some cases to meet the renewable fuel standard. Gasoline-run engines are able to run on blends with a bioethanol percentage of up to 25 percent. Gasoline prices reach historic high Primarily a result of the Russia-Ukraine war and inflation, the annual retail price of gasoline reached a new historic high in 2022, climbing to nearly four U.S. dollars per gallon. By 2023, annual prices had decreased again slightly, reaching 2013 levels.

On January 1, 2025, the price of regular gasoline was highest in Hawaii, at around 4.54 U.S. dollars per gallon. This was some 1.5 dollars above the national average of 3.06 U.S. dollars. California ranked second, which follows it being the U.S. state with the highest gasoline tax. Tax impact on pump prices As of January 2024, California's gasoline tax reached 68.1 U.S. cents per gallon, far exceeding rates in other states. This tax burden plays a crucial role in shaping retail prices, with federal and state taxes being one of the strongest determinants of what consumers pay at the pump. The revenue generated from these taxes is typically reinvested in road infrastructure, demonstrating the direct link between fuel costs and transportation development. Winter months see lowest prices While taxes significantly influence gasoline prices, crude oil costs remain the primary factor, accounting for 55 percent of the retail price in August 2024. The volatility of crude oil prices directly impacts pump prices, as seen in the fluctuations over recent years. Conventional motor fuel prices, including gasoline and diesel, are generally lowest in the winter months. This is due to generally lower demand during those months, as well as the winter fuel blend being less expensive to produce than the summer alternative.

This statistic shows the change in the price of gasoline per liter in selected countries for the period between June 2019 and June 2020. The price changes concern unleaded premium (95 RON) for France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and regular unleaded for Canada, Japan, and the United States (AKI 87). RON stands for Research Octane Number, while AKI means Anti-Knock Index. Both represent the most common octane rating in the countries shown. In June 2020, the gasoline price per liter in the U.S. was 23.4 percent lower than it was in June 2019.

Influences on gasoline prices

The price of gasoline is a frequently discussed issue, and is a part of almost everybody’s life in developed countries. Gasoline prices worldwide are dependent of a number of factors: crude oil prices, costs for processing and distribution, demand, strength of currencies, taxation, and availability. The most influential factor is the crude oil price. This price includes the costs for exploration, extraction, and transport. What the consumer pays in the end is also an issue of national oil pricing policy. Typical regions with high taxes on gasoline are European countries and Japan. Other countries keep consumer prices low by subsidizing the costs for gasoline. Among latter countries are the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela, Egypt, Malaysia, Bolivia, and others. There are many other factors, however, which directly influence the price of gasoline. Wars, crises, and natural disasters in oil producing regions, for example, can obstruct the production and transportation, and thus cause higher crude oil prices. Last but not least, the end-consumer defines the price through his or her demand. A higher number of people driving cars means higher prices for gasoline, which is often the case in the summer months or holiday seasons.

The average price of premium motor spirit in Nigeria increased by nearly 15 percent between September and October 2024. From July 2019 to July 2024, the largest jump was recorded in June 2023, when the average price of petrol increased by 129.23 percent.

As of June 2023, the South Africa's average petrol price reached 22.27 South African rand per liter, which was a drop of 6.62 percent from June of the prior year. In the period under review, the average price of petrol reached its lowest value in the first half of 2020, at 14.32 South African rand per liter.

In June 2023, South Africa placed fourth among selected countries on the continent in petrol price in U.S. dollars.

In June of 2024, the average price of petrol per liters in Iraq stood at 850 Iraqi Dinar. The petrol price per liters in Iraq was constant at 750 Iraqi Dinar between the first half of 2020 and June 2023.

In June 2020, the gasoline price per liter in the United States stood at 0.55 U.S. dollars, the cheapest among the selected eight countries. However, this is a considerable price change compared to June 2019, when figures were 23.4 percent higher. Italy recorded the highest fuel price of all countries listed here, at 1.56 U.S. dollars per liter. The prices concern unleaded premium (95 RON) for France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom and regular unleaded for Canada, Japan, and the United States (AKI 87). Liquid fuels demand decline following coronavirusFinal gasoline prices result from crude oil charges, processing and distribution costs, and taxes and underly supply and demand. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has reduced the demand for fuel and in turn impacted petroleum prices worldwide. The U.S. liquid fuels demand in the road sector is expected to have decreased to 8.7 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2020. As a result, U.S. monthly crude oil production dropped across all regions between March and August 2020. Diesel prices worldwideItaly also has the greatest tag on diesel prices among the above listed countries. As of that same month, the price for automotive diesel stood at 1.43 U.S. dollars per liter in the Southern European country. Diesel prices tend to be lower than gasoline prices, with the United Kingdom and the U.S. proving to be the exception.

As of June 2023, the average price of petrol in Vietnam was 23.4 thousand Vietnamese dong, indicating an increase compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. In addition, the country's average petrol price for 2023 remained higher than that of 2022.

As of June 2024, the petrol price index in Indonesia was 209, indicating a decrease compared to the previous year. The petrol price index compares the average petrol prices to average salaries in a given year. The higher the index, the more petrol can be purchased by the average salary in a country.

As of July 2024 the average price of gasoline in Nigeria was 770.54 Nigerian naira (NGN) per liter, about 0.48 U.S. dollars. The North-West state recorded the highest prices nationwide, at 820.1 NGN, roughly 0.52 U.S. dollars. In contrast, consumers in the South-South zone paid the lowest prices.

This statistic shows the change in the price of automotive diesel per liter in selected countries for the period between June 2019 and June 2020. The price changes exclude value added taxes from prices for automotive diesel. In June 2020, the diesel price per liter in the United States was 22.1 percent lower than it was in June 2019.

Change in the price of automotive diesel

There are many types of diesel, most commonly a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, all of which are constantly being developed and adapted for the industry. As of 2006, almost all of the petroleum-based diesel fuels in Europe and North America are an ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Using ULSD will promote more strict emission technologies for diesel engines and lower-emission fuels. Diesel is used for vehicles with diesel engines. Unlike gas engines, diesel engines usually inject diesel directly into the cylinder to continue combustion and thus, move the piston. Due to high compression ratios, diesel engines are often more efficient than conventional gasoline engines. However, diesel can convert into a gel-like substance in colder temperatures, preventing movement through the fuel systems.

Diesel has a higher volumetric energy density than conventional gasoline, which is important for fuel efficiency. During colder seasons, the price of diesel tends to rise as demand for heating oil also increases. In the U.S., diesel cars only account for approximately three percent of the car market. Meanwhile, in Europe, some 28 percent of passenger cars purchased in the first quarter of 2020 were diesel fueled.

Diesel prices in the United Kingdom rose to more than 150 pence per liter in early 2024. The March national average was 153.9 pence per liter, compared with a price of 151.3 pence per liter for diesel sold at supermarkets.

Hypermarkets dominate motor fuel sales Hypermarkets such as Sainsbury's, Asda, and Tesco have the greatest market share of motor fuel sold in the UK. In 2023, roughly 43 percent of all motor fuels were sold at hypermarkets.

Diesel more expensive than regular gasoline Although gasoline and diesel are both refined petroleum products, their refining process differs, thus also impacting manufacturing and retail prices. Diesel sold in the UK is required to have an ultra-low sulfur content and also contain a biodiesel component of seven percent. The extra steps required in the production process make diesel a more expensive commodity than gasoline, which trades around 10 pence lower.

In June of 2024, the average price of petrol per liters in the United Arab Emirates stood at 3.02 United Arab Emirates Dirham. In comparison, the price of petrol per liters in the UAE was over four United Arab Emirates Dirhams in June 2022.

During the week ending March 21, 2025, the price of diesel in France recorded a decrease. It was at 1.62 euros per liter, including all taxes. The inflation in 2022 relates to increasing uncertainty over motor fuel supplies after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

In June 2020, the diesel price per liter in the United States stood at 0.64 U.S. dollars per liter. In the United Kingdom in the same month, the price stood at 1.41 U.S. dollars per liter. This data concerns the price of automotive diesel (for non-commercial use) per liter in selected countries.

Diesel price fluctuations

Between Spain, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, the U.S. and Canada, there is a lack of consistency in the monthly change in the price of automotive diesel. Canada's prices decreased by over 22 percent between June 2020 and June 2019, whereas prices in the United Kingdom only fell by around 16.2 percent. All changes were a direct result of falling oil prices amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Diesel fuel in the United States

The monthly retail price of diesel fuel in the U.S. had seen only slight fluctuations in the months between June 2019 and January 2020. However, when crude oil demand began falling due to the pandemic, so did diesel retail prices. Figures slumped to a low of 2.39 U.S. dollars per gallon in May 2020. Crude oil accounts for, on average, about 40 to 50 percent of the share of the total cost of diesel in the U.S. Texas sold the highest volume of diesel and alternative fuel of any state in 2018. That year, they sold about 5.91 billion gallons of diesel.

In June of 2024, the average price of petrol per liter in Oman stood at 0.24 Omani Rial. In comparison, the petrol price per liters in Oman was 0.62 Omani Rial in June 2024.