Brits told to drive less to save fuel after prices soar
Motorists are being urged to stop ‘non essential journeys’ after the cost of oil jumped up to $100 a barrel.
The cost of Petrol and Diesel has increased massively since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.
The RAC said the average price of petrol is up 5p to 137.5p and diesel up 9p to 151p a litre since the current crisis began on Saturday 28 February.
This means that for an average five door car with a 42 litre engine, Brits could pay around £58 to fill up their car’s tank.
Prices have also shot up globally – with the US reporting at 78 cents increase in petrol prices compared to last week, and and an 88 cents increase in Diesel, according to the US Energy Information Adminstration.
IPT, the energy operator for the United Arab Emirates, said prices had increase by around 12 fils – the UAE equivalent of pence – for petrol, from 2.33 dirhams to 2.48 dirhams, and 24 fils for Diesel.
Now the president of the AA, Edmund King, is urging Brits to make fewer journeys to save money, and suggested motorists should change their driving style to be more fuel efficient.
Mr King said: ‘The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil.
‘Any time Brent Crude passes 100 dollars per barrel raises concern across the markets, for the haulage industry and drivers.
‘There will be gradual increases in pump prices, but this shouldn’t happen overnight as fuel has been purchased at previous prices.
‘Our suggestion is that drivers should not change their refuelling habits but can consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel.’
Disruption to tanker traffic in the Middle East has sparked a rise in oil prices, which have a significant effect on wholesale fuel prices.
Analysis of the historic link between oil and fuel prices by think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows oil trading at 100 dollars a barrel typically results in petrol prices of about 150p per litre, while oil hitting 120 dollars a barrel means petrol prices of about 170p per litre.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘Average petrol and diesel prices have rocketed in the last week and are unfortunately likely to keep on rising, so the situation for UK drivers is looking increasingly bleak.
‘Unleaded is almost certainly going to reach an average of 140p in the next week or so, while diesel looks highly likely to climb to at least 160p a litre.
‘We encourage drivers to continue filling up as normal but to shop around for the best prices.’
Downing Street said the suggestion from the AA about limiting journeys was not linked to any supply shortage.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘I understand those comments are more about consumer advice to save money rather than any suggestion that we are low on supply.
‘We are obviously closely monitoring prices in light of the situation in the Middle East.’
During last year’s Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to end the fuel duty freeze in September, meaning the 5p temporary fuel price cut will be removed. She added that from April 2027, fuel duty will increase in line with RPI inflation.
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride is now urging for Labour to u-turn on the decision, and the Conservatives have said they will table a motion in Parliament this week to try to force Labour to allow a vote on the legislation.
Stride said: ‘The latest developments in the Middle East make it even more important for Rachel Reeves to reverse course and scrap the rise in fuel duty she announced at the Budget.
‘Labour are piling up the benefits bill instead of prioritising motorists and commuters. For every year of the last Conservative government, we found the resources to freeze fuel duty. Labour did not make the same choices and chose ever higher spending instead. They must scrap the rise before it’s too late.’
A No 10 spokesman said: ‘The Chancellor keeps all taxes under review and takes decisions at budgets.’
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