The average price of diesel fell nearly 3 pence from 117.5p to 114.54p per litre (ppl), last month.

The new figures, from RAC Fuel Watch, also show that the average price of petrol fell by 4.15p in April, from 113.1p to 108.95ppl.

Ironically, the impact of the coronavirus, despite being one of the main factors in why UK fuel prices have dropped, is also the reason why they are not falling any further, argues the RAC.

The cost of oil collapsed to its lowest level in 21 years last month – down to just $13 on April 21 – as a result of demand disappearing in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

However, while this sent wholesale prices plunging still further in the month, some of the UK’s largest fuel retailers did not cut forecourt prices with so few people buying fuel in the first place.

This was in sharp contrast to March which saw the supermarkets announce an unprecedented 12ppl price chop on a single day.

April can therefore be seen very much as a ‘catch-up’ month for other fuel retailers, says the RAC.

While supermarket prices were largely static, it was other forecourts finally cutting their prices which led to the average price paid by drivers across the UK falling.

Subject to any significant easing of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the RAC says that there remains scope for a further 12ppl to come off the prices of both petrol and diesel.

If fully reflected at the pumps, this would see unleaded down to an average price of 96ppl and diesel down to 102ppl.

The last time pump prices fell that low was in 2016, when in February of that year the average price of diesel fell to £1 and petrol was 101ppl, according to the RAC Foundation. 

However, the RAC acknowledges that retailers are only going to reduce prices again if they can be confident of selling fuel in large enough quantities.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams explained: “While it might seem odd that fuel price falls stalled last month despite wholesale prices coming down yet further, it is explained by the simple fact that UK fuel retailers will have been selling a fraction of what they would normally have sold in the last six weeks.

“We expect that only an easing of lockdown restrictions by the UK Government will trigger forecourts into changing their prices significantly, as this would effectively be a signal to millions that they can start making different types of journeys again by car, not just those currently deemed ‘essential’.”

As and when they do, says Williams, drivers could be in line for even cheaper fill-ups in the coming months if wholesale prices remain suppressed.

However, he said: “That remains a big ‘if’ because as soon as more of us start driving the price of oil could begin to increase.

“A cut in oil production, which was previously agreed by some of the world’s largest oil-producing nations, is likely in time to lead to the oil price drifting back up again, although for now supply is outstripping demand so much that it’s hard to see prices increasing by any great margin in May.”

Regional fuel price variation

Regional average diesel pump prices

Diesel	01/04/2020	30/04/2020	Change
UK average	117.50	114.54	-2.96
Northern Ireland	113.44	110.66	-2.78
North East	115.94	113.49	-2.45
Wales	116.23	113.64	-2.59
North West	117.13	113.77	-3.36
Scotland	116.77	113.91	-2.86
Yorkshire And The Humber	117.18	114.13	-3.05
West Midlands	118.63	114.63	-4.00
South West	117.80	114.93	-2.87
East Midlands	118.39	115.18	-3.21
East	118.39	115.43	-2.96
London	119.34	115.58	-3.76
South East	119.34	115.90	-3.44

Regional average unleaded pump prices

Unleaded	01/04/2020	30/04/2020	Change
UK average	113.10	108.95	-4.15
Northern Ireland	107.30	104.03	-3.27
North East	110.76	107.00	-3.76
Wales	111.02	107.02	-4.00
Scotland	111.42	107.73	-3.69
North West	112.83	108.41	-4.42
Yorkshire And The Humber	111.95	108.67	-3.28
South West	113.03	109.10	-3.93
East	114.09	109.45	-4.64
West Midlands	113.80	109.62	-4.18
East Midlands	115.08	109.84	-5.24
South East	115.39	110.42	-4.97
London	115.87	110.55	-5.32