Pump sales of diesel and gasoline in UK still lower than seen early May

London (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) - Pump sales of diesel and gasoline in the UK have risen week-on week but have yet to reach levels seen in early May, data from the UK government shows.

Filling stations in England, Scotland and Wales sold an average of 9,540 litres per day of diesel and 6,290 litres per day of gasoline over the week to May 16.

The previous week was considered a blip in the recent trend line, with sales falling week-on-week because of public holidays.

Retail demand for diesel slid to 9,020 litres per day and gasoline slid to 6,230 litres per day over the week to May 9.

This week's figures show diesel demand climbing 520 litres per day week-on-week, while gasoline was little changed, up 60 litres a day.

But pump sales for both road fuels were still lower than recorded over the week to May 2, with diesel sales down by 160 litres a day, and gasoline down 315 litres a day.

Pump prices for diesel and gasoline in the UK surged 0.5% week-on-week over the seven days to May 17, data from the UK's Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy shows.

Diesel prices averaged 131.03 pence per litres and gasoline prices averaged 127.19 pence per litre, up 60 and 68 pence respectively from the week to May 10.   

Last week's diesel sales were 9% lower than average sales in a typical week before lockdowns were introduced in March 2020, while gasoline sales were 13% lower.

In early May, diesel sales were 7% lower and gasoline sales were 9% lower than pre-Covid times.