UK diesel duty rate
UK diesel duty rate stood at 52.95 Pence per litre on Sep 21, 2026, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Road fuel prices table (Value · Daily), with a complete series running from Jun 9, 2003 to Sep 21, 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Road fuel prices table
| Indicator | 21-09-2026 | 14-09-2026 | 07-09-2026 | 31-08-2026 | 24-08-2026 | 17-08-2026 | 10-08-2026 | 03-08-2026 | 27-07-2026 | 20-07-2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duty and VAT | |||||||||||
| Diesel, duty rate | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | 52.95 | |
| VAT rate on road fuel | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Understanding UK diesel duty rate
The specific indirect excise levy applied per litre of road diesel across the United Kingdom is documented in this dataset. This measure captures the government-mandated flat tax rate imposed on compression-ignition motor fuel, excluding all elements related to underlying wholesale petroleum costs, distribution expenses, and retail profitability. By focusing solely on the diesel excise component, this series allows analysts to track fiscal policy impacts on freight and commercial transport independently of global energy market volatility.
When reading this indicator, observers must look to official fiscal events and budgetary announcements rather than standard economic demand cycles, as adjustments occur exclusively through legislative action. The series remains unchanged for long intervals, making year-on-year comparisons useful primarily for identifying policy shifts over extended horizons. Researchers should avoid confusing this flat volumetric excise with the proportional sales taxes that scale automatically with total fuel value.
Frequently asked questions
- What determines changes in the diesel duty rate?
- Legislative decisions made during official government budget announcements dictate any alterations to this flat levy.
- Does this series include value added tax calculations?
- No, the figure reflects strictly the excise duty component charged per litre, prior to the addition of sales tax.
- Why does this rate often remain static across many consecutive weekly releases?
- Because it is a fixed statutory charge adjusted only through deliberate policy changes rather than continuous market forces.