The gap between the average price of petrol and diesel has exceeded 20p a litre for the first time ever.

The gap between unleaded and diesel pump prices has climbed to 20.35p a litre

RAC Fuel Watch data shows that as of Wednesday, drivers were paying an average of 163.13p for unleaded while diesel had climbed to nearly 184p (183.94p) – a difference of 20.35p a litre.

The widening gap follows last week’s announcement from OPEC+ of significant production cuts, which has seen the wholesale price of refined fuel increase as a result of oil returning to trade at above $90 a barrel.

RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams explained: “Since OPEC and its allies agreed to reduce oil supply substantially, we’ve seen the price of wholesale diesel go up by 9p a litre and petrol by 4p a litre.

“This has led to the average price of diesel going up by almost 4p a litre and petrol by nearly a penny.”

The RAC warned that the outlook for diesel drivers is not good as prices head back to 190p a litre, which will add £3 to the cost of a tank, increasing it to £104.50.