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The 5 UK regions running on empty as fuel stocks hit lowest point in three years

Fuel stocks at petrol stations across the UK have fallen to their lowest levels since December 2022, with forecourts averaging just 40% capacity amid surging demand

[A petrol station in the UK]

Fuel reserves at UK petrol stations have plummeted in recent weeks(Image: Getty)

Fuel reserves at UK petrol stations have plummeted to their lowest levels since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to recent data. The latest available figures reveal that forecourt stocks of petrol and diesel reached a three-year low at the end of March, with tanks averaging a mere 40 per cent of their capacity nationwide - the lowest level since December 2022.

Data from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero indicates that petrol and diesel stores were at their lowest during the last week of March.

The regions most affected by low stock levels were the Isle of Wight, South Ayrshire, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, and Mid and East Antrim, as reported by the Telegraph.

[Drivers at a petrol station]

There has been a surge in demand for petrol due to the Middle East conflict(Image: Getty)

The Isle of Wight averaged a mere 28.5 per cent, followed closely by South Ayrshire at 29.4 per cent, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan at 30.2 per cent, and Mid and East Antrim at 30.9 per cent.

Experts attribute the lower stock levels to a surge in demand rather than supply shortages. However, the global oil supply has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Since February 28, the US and Israel have conducted joint strikes on key Iranian targets, prompting Iran to retaliate by targeting sites across the region and restricting the movement of oil tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz supply route, which accounts for approximately 20 per cent of global oil trade.

Gordon Balmer, the executive director of the Petrol Retailers' Association, said: "Reduced stock levels can be explained by the higher than usual demand at the start of the Middle East conflict."

Fuel prices have surged, with the cost of diesel at motorway service stations surpassing the 2 barrier for the first time.

The RAC has reported that diesel prices averaged 200.6p per litre, a 48.7p or 34 per cent increase since the beginning of the Iran war.

The RAC further said that the average cost of a tank of petrol is now 86.92, having risen by 13.86 since February 28, while the price of a tank of diesel reached 105.11, representing an increase of 26.80.

Despite this, road users have not been dissuaded from purchasing fuel. Government data reveals that petrol deliveries to filling stations averaged 7,333 litres per day over the four weeks starting March 1, an increase on the average 7,071 litres per day over the preceding four weeks.

March witnessed higher petrol sales compared to February, averaging 7,615 litres per day in the four weeks from March 1, up from the 7,139 litres in the preceding four weeks.

Figures from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero are based on snapshots of petrol and diesel levels from a sample of approximately 4,900 filling stations across the UK, accounting for more than four-fifths of typical sales.

Luke Bosdet, the AA's spokesperson on pump prices,said: "Soaring petrol and diesel pump price rises have been painful and disruptive in places but UK drivers have generally kept their nerve and stuck to their fuelling routines, as the AA advised.

"Fuel supplies have been handled pretty well with reports of pumps running low being replaced with 'business as usual' notices after a few hours."

A spokesperson for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero said: "Petrol stations in the UK are being supplied as normal and we have a diverse and resilient supply.

"Both the AA and Fuels Industry UK have been clear that fuel production and imports are continuing across the UK as usual with no issues being reported."

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