It’s no secret that fuel prices have seen a considerable rise in recent months. But whilst the Government has stepped in with a 5p cut to fuel duty, many are still looking for ways to save. We’ve asked our Petrol Station Team Leader Mark Kershaw for his input on the price increase and what drivers can do to get more miles for their money.
Why are fuel prices going up?
UK fuel prices have risen to an all-time high due to a direct knock-on effect of a rise in the cost of oil. The cause of the rise in oil prices can be drawn to the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Will fuel prices go down?
As time goes on and the price of oil shows no signs of going down, the UK Government is looking into alternative sources of oil. In recent news, Boris Johnson is in conversation with Asia to discuss trade partnerships and end reliance on Russian gas imports. This could mean that lower fuel prices could be on the horizon, but it’s not known exactly when that might be.
What will reduce fuel consumption?
Whilst there’s no controlling the cost of fuel, there are a few tips and tricks for how to improve your fuel economy and make a full tank go further:
- Watch your speed - To maximise fuel consumption, it’s useful to remember that slow and steady wins the race! It’s important to consider how quickly you are changing speed both accelerating and slowing down. For starters, the most fuel-efficient speed to travel is between 55 and 65 mph. Anything faster than this and your miles per gallon goes down rapidly. Did you know that on top of being illegal driving at 85 mph uses 40% more fuel than 70 mph? Another tip is to try to avoid rapidly accelerating. Instead, try building your speed up slowly to ensure you are not over-revving your engine. Secondly, try to keep heavy braking to a minimum. If you know you need to come to a stop, come off the gas early and slow down gradually to a stop.
- Switching between open windows and air-con - Whilst most people already know that excessive use of air-conditioning can use more fuel, keeping your windows open can also have the same effect. By keeping your windows open at higher speeds, you are increasing drag and essentially slowing your car down. To get the best of both worlds, try keeping your windows open whenever you’re driving under 40 mph and switching to air-con when going over that.
- Check your tyres - Did you know that tyres account for up to 20% of your car's fuel consumption? That’s why it’s so important to check that you are using the right tyres and that they are properly inflated. Switching to energy-saving tyres can help reduce fuel consumption and making sure the pressure is topped up can reduce rolling resistance.
- Your trip computer is your friend - Most modern trip computers can do so much more than just keep track of your miles. They can also tell you what your average miles per gallon (mpg) are, giving you a good indication of how efficiently you’re driving. If it’s high then you’re doing a good job. If it’s low, then try some of our tips above!
If you’re looking to purchase a new or used vehicle our Pye team can advise on the fuel economy to ensure you get the best option for you. Or now may be the time to switch to electric!
