Logistics UK: motor fuel inflation of 31.9% piles cost pressure on freight operators
Logistics UK says September's Consumer Prices Index put headline inflation at 3.6%. It warns that fuel costs, which it links to the Middle East conflict, are raising operating costs for logistics operators and that much of the increase will pass into wider prices.
Logistics UK chief executive Ben Fletcher, commenting on the CPI figures published on 21 October 2026, said inflation stood at 3.6% in September. He said motor fuel inflation was 31.9%, "the highest inflation rate for liquid fuels, vehicle fuels and lubricants since August 2022".
Citing the Office for National Statistics, Fletcher said transport, particularly motor fuels, made the largest upward contribution to the increase in inflation.
"This throws into sharp relief the financial pressure the logistics sector is under," he said. "The rapid rise in fuel inflation, driven by the conflict in the Middle East, has a direct effect on logistics operating costs, which will have a knock-on impact on the prices people pay in the shop."
Fletcher said operators have limited room to soak up the rise: "Fuel, energy, tyres, maintenance, vehicles, insurance and labour are non-negotiable charges and, while operators will attempt to absorb some increases through lower margins and improved efficiency, much of this increase will ultimately drive further inflation across the wider economy."
According to government (DESNZ) figures tracked by THRIVE, the UK average diesel pump price was 199.3p a litre in the week of 19 October 2026, down from 200.0p the week before.
Sources
freightweek.orgHow THRIVE sources and checks its stories · Corrections, and how to report an error
Public EV charging cost review calls for tariff porting, price support and network charge reform
Allye Energy launches MEV depot EV charger with built-in storage from repurposed EV batteries
Go Eve secures Innovate UK backing for £750,000 DockChain fleet charging project
The Tuesday briefing
The week's fleet numbers and news, every Tuesday morning. Free.
One email a week. Unsubscribe in a click.
Named in this story? You have a right of reply: email hello@thrivefleet.co.uk and a challenged claim will be marked under review while we check it.
Got a story, or a question about this one? Contact the newsroom. We read everything that comes in. With the volume of fleet news, not everything can run, but a story with a number, a date or a decision in it stands a good chance.