Domesday Live

Fuel duty: how the rate has changed

Driving, flying and the environment. Fuel duty is a fixed amount for every litre, whatever the price at the pump. VAT is then charged on the fuel and the duty together. In recent years petrol and diesel have been taxed at the same rate.

Worth knowing

• A fuel price escalator raised the duty above inflation every year from 1993 until it was dropped after the fuel protests of September 2000.
• The 5p cut in March 2022 has been extended every year since. At the Autumn Budget 2025 it was extended to the end of August 2026, then reversed in steps: 1p on 1 September 2026, 2p on 1 December 2026 and 2p on 1 March 2027. The planned rise in line with inflation was also cancelled.
• For diesel the chart uses ultra low sulphur diesel from August 1997 and for petrol the lowest of the unleaded grades, which are the fuels sold at most pumps.
• HMRC's table starts in 1989, so earlier years are not shown.