Diesel Is Close to Its Record High. Here Is What We Are Doing About It.

September 24, 2026 News

On 23 September the RAC reported the UK average price of diesel at 197.31p a litre. That is 1.78p below the all-time record set in June 2022, and almost 55p a litre more than at the end of February. The RAC does not expect it to fall back soon.

For a courier company, diesel is not a side cost. It is one of the largest costs in every job we run, and neither we nor our customers can control its price. What we can control is how much of it we use.

How our vans are driven

The biggest saving comes from the driver’s seat. Our tracking system shows harsh acceleration, harsh braking, speed and idling alongside fuel use. We use that data to coach drivers, not to catch them out. Smooth driving uses less fuel, is safer and causes less wear on the vehicle. Our FORS practitioner for fuel efficiency and low emissions, Catherine Forward, is responsible for this work.

Keeping the vehicles efficient

A van that is poorly maintained uses more fuel. Our FORS Silver accreditation requires us to record fuel use, set targets and keep improving. Tyre pressures, servicing and the checks in our seasonal changeovers all affect how much diesel each mile needs.

Planning the miles

Our work ranges from long motorway runs to deliveries across London, and each needs a different plan.

Looking further ahead

We are trialling a fully electric Renault Master. Most of our work is still too far for it. But on the jobs it can do, its running costs are not tied to the price of diesel. We explain why we took it on in our post about the electric van trial.

Why a fuel surcharge is sometimes needed

We absorb as much of the increase as we can, and the steps above help. But when the price of diesel rises by more than a third in seven months, efficiency alone cannot cover it. That is when a fuel surcharge has to be part of our pricing.

What helps keep your costs down

Booking ahead gives us more options when planning a route.
Accurate load details mean we can send the right vehicle for the job.
Flexible delivery windows help us avoid the most congested times.

In 30 years we have seen fuel prices rise sharply before, most recently in 2022. Our approach has not changed: use less fuel, be open about costs, and talk to customers early. If you would like to discuss how fuel costs affect your deliveries, please get in touch.

If you have something that needs moving, tell us what and where — our transport team will come back to you with a price.

Get a quote or call 01227 773030

What Our Customers Say

Kerry you are as always amazing! Thank you and your team so much!

If you want testimonials please come to me as you have always been fantastic to work with and so reliable, so thank you.

Anna Taylor

Bakkavor Group is a leading international food manufacturing company specialising in freshly prepared foods and produce.

The company have five core values that underpin the way we do business, one of which is, customer care: We are committed to supplying outstanding service, quality and value, never forgetting that our relationship with our customers is pivotal to our success.

Invicta Couriers have helped us to achieve this in conjunction with our team at Tilmanstone. They provide transport solutions for the effective distribution of samples to our customers and internal buying teams. On many occasions that has been at short notice and often outside traditional working hours.

We have been working with Invicta’s for a number of years now and would consider their flexible approach and professional manner a credit to their management team.

It is on this basis that I would not hesitate to recommend their services to any business.

Alan Tingey

I confirm that I have dealt with Invicta Couriers since 2004, during which time they have provided our company with excellent support in transporting our water samples from our offices in Folkestone to our laboratories in Watford and Staines.

One of the reasons we initially approached Invicta was due to the fact that they could offer temperature controlled vehicles with constant monitoring, to ensure that our strict guidelines are adhered to.

One of the reasons we have remained with Invicta is based in the good working relationship and trust that has developed. The nature of our business means that we can require sample transportation during unsociable hours and very often, at very short notice. I’m delighted to say that Invicta Couriers have always been able to accommodate our needs.

I can confidently recommend Invicta Couriers as providers of a flexible and reliable service.

Stephanie Collins