Reading between the pumps.
Editorial notes and long-form pieces on the British fuel market — indexed as a gazette, oldest first numbered, newest first shown.
How much is a gallon of petrol in the UK in 2026?
Britain sells fuel by the litre, but drivers still think by the gallon. Today's UK gallon price, the maths behind the conversion, and why it's twice what an American pays.
Previously, in these pages.
- 10
The UK Fuel Finder scheme, explained
Since 2025, every UK forecourt has been legally obliged to publish pump-price changes within thirty minutes. Here's what the regulations actually say, what they changed, and what they don't cover.
Methodology6 minMethodology6 min read - 09
Litres to gallons: the UK driver's conversion cheat sheet
A UK gallon is 4.546 litres, not the 3.785 you'll find on a US website. The full conversion table, MPG to L/100km maths, and the practical tank-size numbers every British driver should know.
Field Report5 minField Report5 min read - 08
Why is petrol so expensive in the UK?
A forensic breakdown of what you actually pay for at the pump — wholesale, duty, VAT, and the retailer's thin slice — and why the number moves every day.
Methodology6 minMethodology6 min read - 07
The Strait of Hormuz and your next tank of petrol
A narrow seaway 4,000 miles from Dover is driving 43 days of UK pump-price rises. Here's how the shockwave travels from the Persian Gulf to your forecourt.
Market Notes6 minMarket Notes6 min read - 06
Fuel duty is rising in September 2026 — what drivers need to know
The temporary 5p cut introduced in 2022 ends on 31 August. After fifteen years of frozen duty, pump prices face a staged return to pre-cut levels — and an inflation link from April 2027.
Market Notes5 minMarket Notes5 min read - 05
Why diesel is 33p more expensive than petrol in 2026
Diesel at 191p, unleaded at 158p — the widest gap in years. The reasons sit at the intersection of a Middle East supply shock, refinery geometry, and European heating demand.
Market Notes6 minMarket Notes6 min read - 04
The cheapest day to buy petrol in the UK
A look at the weekly rhythm of UK pump prices — when Tuesdays really are the cheapest day, and the exceptions that catch drivers out.
Field Report5 minField Report5 min read - 03
The best fuel loyalty card in the UK, ranked by real-world earn rate
Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, Shell Go+, Asda Rewards, Morrisons More and BPme Rewards — compared properly in pence-per-litre terms, not marketing leaflets.
Field Report7 minField Report7 min read - 02
Why motorway service station petrol is so expensive
The markup at a UK motorway services is typically 15-25p/L above the nearest town forecourt. Here's where that money goes, and how to sidestep it.
Field Report5 minField Report5 min read - 01
How FuelHawk works
Live data from the government's Fuel Finder scheme, reconciled with wholesale, crude and sterling — published back to you as a single decision.
Methodology4 minMethodology4 min read
- Market Notes
- macro commentary — why prices move
- Field Report
- practical guides from the forecourt
- Methodology
- how FuelHawk and the UK pump actually work
- Forecast
- what's likely to happen next, and when