Average UK unleaded petrol prices hit a new high yesterday, reaching 86.21 pence per litre. The previous record was 86.05 pence per litre on 17 April, reports The AA Motoring Trust.
The average cost of diesel also reached a new high of 90.34 pence per litre, beating the previous record of 90.17 pence set on 11 April.
With unleaded petrol costing on average 79.6 pence per litre in January, individual private motorists are paying 94.69 per month on car fuel compared to 87.43 at the beginning of the year. UK motorists are now spending an extra 4.83 million each day on petrol as opposed to other areas of the family budget.
Drivers are able to claw back significant savings through changes to their driving technique and routine. The AA Motoring Trust offers five key tips:
1) Cut your speed on motorways: Drivers, who exceed the legal limit, can reduce their speed from 85mph to 70mph and save nearly half a litre of petrol every 10 miles. Keep to the speed limit for 20 miles and drivers can save themselves 80 pence, almost the cost of a litre of petrol*.
2) Cool your passion for air con: Using the air conditioning constantly at 30mph adds 12 pence to fuel costs every 10 miles, and eight pence every 10 miles at 70mph. Cut fuel consumption and costs by moderating use of the air con. In the early morning and late evening, the air vents may do the job just as well.
3) Avoid the rush hour: Cars that can travel at suburban speeds instead of an inner-city crawl save half a litre of petrol every 10 miles, saving drivers 43 pence.
4) Information is a fuel saving: Small cars stuck in traffic jams use up a litre of petrol every 60 minutes, costing drivers nearly 1.5 pence every minute. Medium-sized and larger cars lose petrol and money at double the rate. Before you leave, check your route on TV, radio or the Internet for hold-ups along the way. Avoid notorious bottlenecks at busy times.
5) Every little helps: Under-inflated tyres, an empty roof rack and open windows can each add 2.5 per cent to fuel consumption. Excess baggage in the boot also adds to the cost of fuel.
"Motorists aren't totally powerless in the face of soaring car fuel prices," says Bert Morris, director of the AA Motoring Trust. "It is well within the ability of most drivers to save the equivalent of a litre of petrol in every tankful, or 40 litres."
NOTES: UK consumption of unleaded petrol in 2003 was 19.72 million tonnes (source: DTI) or 73 million litres per day. With a 6.61 pence difference between January and June average unleaded petrol prices, motorists spend 4.83 million extra on petrol each day.
The average mileage of a typical privately-owned car is 8,700 miles. Averaging 30 miles per gallon, it consumes 290 gallons or 1318 litres of petrol per year.
* According to the National Speed Survey for 2004, 19 per cent of cars on motorways travel faster than 80mph.
