OIL giants are taking motorists for a ride, Labour said today as the average cost of filling a typical family car with petrol exceeded £100 for the first time.

Figures from data firm Experian revealed that the average price of a litre of petrol in Britain’s stations reached a record 182.3p on Wednesday.

It was an increase of 1.6p compared with Tuesday, taking the average cost of filling a 55-litre family car to £100.27.

The average price of a litre of diesel on Wednesday was 188.1p.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wants the 5p-per-litre cut in fuel duty implemented in March to have “an impact on the pumps,” adding that the government is watching retailers “very closely.”

But Labour shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh tweeted: “Working people are facing savage price hikes, and this hapless government are too distracted to do anything about it.

“Across the country, oil giants are taking motorists for a ride, but ministers are too weak to stand up to them.”

The AA called for a further 10p cut and the introduction of a “fuel price stabiliser” which would see the rate lowered when prices rise, and increased when prices drop.

Company president Edmund King said: “Enough is enough. The government must act urgently to reduce the record fuel prices which are crippling the lives of those on lower incomes, rural areas and businesses.

“A fuel price stabiliser is a fair means for the Treasury to help regulate the pump price, but alongside this, they need to bring in more fuel price transparency to stop the daily rip-offs at the pumps.

“The £100 tank is not sustainable with the general cost-of-living crisis, so the underlying issues need to be addressed urgently.”