Petrol Prices in the UK
UK petrol and diesel prices
In March 2008, the price of a gallon of petrol hit 5 pounds first the first time.

Petrol prices in the UK are now the most expensive in over 100 years.

The Tax cost of petrol
The price that you pay for petrol at the pump is made up of an unbeliveable 73% Tax.

Whats next for petrol prices
Currently Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has temporarily postponed the scheduled increase of 2p to the price of petrol in April 2008 for 6 months until October 2008. With Crude Oil pushing on $110 a barrel, the price of petrol and diesel over the next year seems likely to only keep on increasing.

The effects of rising Fuel prices
The pound in your pocket doesn't go as far anymore. FACT. The inexhausable increasing of petrol and diesel prices at the pump is having a inflationary effect on the whole UK economy. More expensive diesel means that the transportation of goods from suppliers to consumers by UK haulage firms is inevitably being passed onto UK consumers in the form of higher prices, especially basics like bread and milk, bought in supermarkets.

How can I save Money on Petrol and Diesel?
What can I do to save money ?
There are a couple of very simple ways that you, as a driver, can make the most of the price of petrol that you buy at the pump, making the pound in your pocket go further.

1. Drive economically
By driving economically, you can potentially save up to 35% of the petrol and diesel that you might normally use.

Tips

  • Accelerate and brake smoothly, keep your revs low and don't depress the gas pedal as far as you might have in the past. Typically try and change up a gear at around 2000-2500 rpm
    ( although this will vary from car to car! )
  • Try to judge closing distances, e.g. at traffic lights, to keep your car rolling contantly. By unneccessarily stopping and starting you are burning more fuel - costing you cash.
  • On Motorways and Dual Carriage-ways try and keep your speed to 60mph. For most cars travelling above this speed at the speed limit of 70mph, your car will not be operating at its most efficient. This is a KEY technique to saving petrol.
  • Corner smoothly, try not to accelerate hard exiting corners as well as applying smooth braking when entering them.
  • Don't run your air-conditioning unit in your car as often. This can reduce your cars efficency by up to 10%.
  • Close Windows when driving. Open windows cause drag, requiring you to use more petrol or diesel to maintain speed.
  • If you are not using your roof-rack, REMOVE IT. Its causing drag which is slowing you down making you burn more fuel.

2. Get your Car serviced regularily
It can't be overstated enough as to how much difference having a regularily serviced car can make to your cars fuel economy.

Tips

  • Get the oil changed. If the oil in your cars sump is sticky and old it won't be lubricating you engine very well. Getting the oil changed might improve your cars engine efficency by 5-10% by allowing the moving parts to move more smoothly.
  • Make sure your air and oil filters are replaced at the recommended intervals.
  • Check your type pressure. This is a FREE and easy thing to do every 1-2 weeks. Having under-inflated tyres, even by a few psi, can have a dramatic effect ( up to 3% ) on the fuel effeciency of your car.
By implementing these few simple techniques you can save hundreds of pounds per year on your petrol and diesel costs. All of the strategies apply equally to petrol and diesel cars and can be done for free or very little cost.
  • Saving Petrol
  • Diesel Costs too much
  • £5 a gallon petrol
  • Save petrol money
  • Economic driving
  • Regular car services
  • $100 dollar a barrel oil