Millions of drivers of popular vehicles have been warned of hefty driving costs this year after the price of fuel surged to the highest level since 2022.
Diesel prices reached £1.91 per litre, marking some of the highest prices since 2022 and leaving an estimated 4.5 million van drivers with yearly fuel expenses of approximately £1,750.
Government fuel data from the week beginning April 21 confirmed the sharp rise, with petrol also climbing to £1.57 per litre.
The financial burden falls heavily on those who depend on their vehicles for work, with the vast majority of van operators relying on fuel to carry out their daily business activities.
These cost estimates, calculated by MoneySuperMarket using insurance policy data collected between 2022 and 2026, assume typical diesel van efficiency of 40 miles per gallon combined with current pump prices and average annual mileage figures.
Analysis of van insurance policies purchased revealed that drivers travelled an average of 8,018 miles in 2025, representing a 15 per cent jump compared to the 6,964 miles recorded in 2022.
This increased distance on the road, combined with elevated pump prices, has pushed running costs considerably higher than three years ago.
The data showed how diesel prices fluctuated significantly over the period, dropping from £1.77 per litre in 2022 to £1.42 in 2025 before the current spike to £1.91.
Reports found an estimated 4.5 million van drivers have been hit with yearly fuel expenses of £1,750
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GETTY
Petrol followed a similar pattern, falling from £1.64 per litre in 2022 to £1.35 in 2025, then rising to £1.57 this year. Average annual mileage peaked at 8,027 miles in 2023 before settling at 7,266 miles in the first quarter of 2026.
Alicia Hempsted, Van Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Van drivers are currently dealing with a combination of rising fuel prices and increased mileage, both of which are pushing up overall running costs.
“For many tradespeople and small business owners, this has a direct impact on profitability, making it more important than ever to manage expenses carefully.”
She added that using tools such as the fuel cost calculator, it can help drivers better understand how changes in pump prices affect spending on fuel. “Even small price differences between local petrol stations can add up over time, so comparing fuel prices before filling up is a simple but effective way to reduce costs,” she stated.
Van drivers have faced growing cost pressures due to rising fuel prices
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GETTYThe squeeze on margins comes at a challenging time for operators across the commercial vehicle sector. Despite these cost pressures, the light commercial vehicle market showed resilience in April, with new registrations climbing 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 21,716 units according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures.
Larger vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes performed particularly strongly, rising 28.5 per cent to 15,561 units and accounting for 71 per cent of all registrations that month.
This segment‘s growth indicated sustained demand from logistics and delivery businesses continuing to invest in fleet renewal.
Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, said: “While some areas of the market remain resilient, ongoing economic pressures and uncertainty continue to impact business confidence and investment decisions.”
Despite costs, the number of vans purchased in April remained steady
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PAYear-to-date van registrations have fallen 1.6 per cent to 103,424 units compared with the same period last year, reflecting broader economic headwinds affecting purchasing decisions.
Drivers looking to reduce their fuel expenditure can benefit from comparing prices at nearby filling stations, where even modest differences can accumulate into meaningful savings over time.
Meanwhile, battery electric commercial vehicles are gaining traction, with April registrations rising 44.7 per cent year-on-year to 2,439 units for vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes.
However, operators remain cautious about switching to electric, weighing up operational suitability and transition costs. Electric van uptake currently stands at 11.1 per cent of the market year-to-date, falling short of the 24 per cent target established under the Government‘s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate.