Stocks of petrol and diesel at filling stations in the UK have fallen since the start of the Iran conflict, though the size of the drop varies across the country, figures show.
Petrol stock levels at garages averaged between 44% and 47% in the four weeks leading up to the start of the war on February 28.
But in the four weeks beginning March 1, levels across the UK averaged between 36% and 43%, according to data published on Thursday by the Department for Energy & Net Zero.
Levels dropped to 36% – the lowest since December 2022 – on three days: March 4, 6 and 7, all in the early stages of the war, then recovered slightly to around 40% in the second half of the month.
The figures suggest the drop in petrol stocks has been driven by increased demand, rather than a fall in supply.