Price of diesel falls to less than £1 a litre at the pumps for first time since 2009

Drivers will be able to fill up on diesel for less than £1 per litre after three supermarket giants slashed prices from today.

Morrisons initiated to price war by slashing costs on the forecourt to 99.7p on Sunday, prompting the other three big supermarkets to follow suit today.

Asda and Tesco will be charging 99.7p per litre, while Sainsbury’s will be charging 99.9p.

The cut comes as the price of oil has sunk to its lowest level in more than a decade, bringing the price of unleaded petrol below £1 across supermarket stations in before Christmas.

Bryan Burger, petrol retail director at Morrisons, said a filling up a 50-litre tank would be £20 compared than the 2012 high.

He said: “If oil prices continue to fall then we remain ready to cut the price of diesel and unleaded.”

Andy Peake, Asda’s senior petrol director, said they were happy to be bringing some New Year cheer.

He said: “We’re glad to be leading the way and investing in some New Year cheer for customers by bringing the cost of diesel to below £1 for the first time in over six years. This latest announcement shows that we’re committed to being the driving force behind lowering fuel prices.”

Sainsbury’s and Tesco also said they would continue to monitor the oil market and foreign exchange rates and could adjust pump prices accordingly.

The RAC called the price drop “overdue”.

A spokesperson said: “Diesel drivers will clearly welcome this move by the big supermarkets, although it would be fair to say it is overdue.

“We hope that other supermarkets and the cheaper fuel retailers will follow suit and do the right thing for motorists. This should reduce the average price of diesel for motorists everywhere who will benefit from the low price of crude oil.”

ASDA PETROL STATIONS ARE:

Basildon Eastgate

Tiptree

Chelmsford

South Woodham Ferrers

Colchester

TESCO PETROL STATIONS ARE:

Pitsea

Southend Extra

Maldon

Braintree Great Notley

Chelmsford Princes Road

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SAINSBURY’S PETROL STATIONS ARE:

Chelmsford White Hart Lane

Jeffrey S. Overstreet