If you think your commute is expensive, spare a thought for businesses running heavy machinery. With UK diesel prices hitting an all-time record of 199.33p per litre this week, the vibes are off for transport-reliant companies.
Steve Dulson, managing director of Shropshire-based Dulson Training, is lowkey feeling the heat. He told the BBC his firm, which teaches folks to drive lorries and buses, is shelling out hundreds of pounds more per vehicle to fill up compared to 2025. With fuel costs rising by 50p a litre (excluding VAT) over the past year, it's becoming a major W/L situation for their margins.
The math isn't mathing for his customers either. Since people usually book training months in advance—sorting out medicals and theory tests before hitting the road—they get quoted a set price. By the time they actually start practical training, the fuel prices have often spiked, leaving the company to cover the difference. It’s giving “trapped in a contract.”
The supply chain struggle
Why the sudden surge? It’s basically all down to the US-Iran war that kicked off in February. Since the conflict began, the cost of a litre of diesel has jumped by about 40%, or 59p, as international supplies have tightened. Petrol has also climbed to 174.23p a litre, up 41p.
Dulson is trying to pivot by optimizing routes and extending breaks to burn less fuel, but he admits that if the market doesn't cool down, he’ll have to hike prices next year to keep the lights on.
Why it matters
Real talk: when diesel prices spike, it creates a ripple effect. Training costs go up, logistics for goods become more expensive, and eventually, that extra cost gets passed down to you at the checkout. For any side hustlers or entrepreneurs in the transport sector, this is a major red flag—keep a close watch on your overheads before the supply chain crunch hits your own wallet.
