Asda government chairman Allan Leighton hit again at options forecourts had been profiteering from the disaster, accusing ministers of “pointing the finger” at retailers.
He additionally mentioned the battle was affecting gasoline provides in some areas, with a small variety of pumps out of use following bumper demand.
Leighton mentioned Asda – the UK’s second largest gasoline retailer – had not closed any forecourts as a results of the battle and anticipated any affected petrol pumps to be again in use after its subsequent supply.
“Our fuel volumes are up quite significantly and clearly demand has been outstripping supply,” he mentioned.
“Supply is tight and we are all trying hard on that.”
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) mentioned it was conscious of stories about gasoline availability “at a small number of forecourts for one retailer” however that there was no trigger for concern.
“Supply across the UK is flowing normally and there is no need for any change in usual buying habits,” mentioned mentioned PRA director Gordon Balmer.
The RAC described the rise in petrol costs above the 150p-a-litre mark as an “unwelcome milestone”.
“With the long-awaited four-day Easter weekend almost within touching distance, the cost of getting away by car is going to be noticeably higher this year,” mentioned RAC head of coverage Simon Williams.
Unleaded petrol is now 17p extra per litre than earlier than the battle started. Diesel is 35p per litre costlier.
The RAC’s recommendation for drivers is to “plan carefully” the place to refuel, making use of apps that enable them to check costs at native shops.
The dialogue over gasoline pricing has develop into more and more heated in current weeks as the wholesale price has risen.
Fuel retailers have criticised the federal government for utilizing “inflammatory” language, after the federal government mentioned it could clamp down on any retailers who tried to “rip off” clients.
The Competition and Markets Authority has mentioned it would step up its monitoring of a sector.
Leighton mentioned Asda’s revenue margins have been down as a results of the current spike in costs and that it was “very clear” there was no profiteering.
“The government is getting a lot of money off the back of this, and before they start accusing people of profiteering, just in my book, there’s no credibility in any of it,” Leighton mentioned.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that that actually is impossible in the current situation.
“I believe the federal government wants to take a look at what it’s doing as a substitute of pointing the finger at all people else,” he added.
While gasoline responsibility is imposed at a flat charge, the federal government levies VAT on the general retail value of petrol and diesel, which suggests larger costs increase tax revenues.
