On 12 October 2026 UK unleaded petrol averaged 175.28p a litre (DESNZ weekly survey). Fuel duty is a flat 52.95p and VAT at 20% adds 29.21p: 82.16p of tax, or 46.9% of the pump price. In the US, state and federal gasoline taxes are about 12% of the pump price (EIA). Because UK duty is a fixed amount per litre, the tax share moves with prices: 77.0% in January 2004, 44.3% in July 2022.
Educational only, not financial advice. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Tax shares = our own calculation from official data. Full breakdown on the channel.
Sources: DESNZ weekly road fuel prices ( · EIA federal and state motor fuel taxes, July 2026 ( · EIA weekly U.S. regular gasoline (
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