How to Save on Fuel Costs
As conflicts affect oil prices, drivers find themselves unexpectedly paying more for their fuel. This sudden burden and change to the status quo with people’s finances is extremely difficult to predict, so what can be done about it?
Fuel Finder
Last year the Government launched its Fuel Finder service that “…brings together live retail fuel prices and forecourt information across the UK” and in February the Fuel Finder law came into effect.
It’s now a legal requirement for fuel retailers to provide the latest fuel prices within 30 minutes of any change.
Apps such as Waze and other navigation apps, plus dedicated pricing apps already show the latest information so that drivers can scan for the cheapest fuel nearest to them, saving them money on each fill up.
Efficiency
The RAC has published tips on how to save on using fuel which we summarise below.
Keep your car well maintained. Don’t skip on services at it serves as a false economy.
Ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure to optimise the contact the car has with the road.
Judge when to accelerate and when to slow down. Sudden and impulsive accelerating and braking leads to lower efficiency results.
If using a manual gearbox, use the highest gear possible without making the car struggle. It keeps the revs low and consumes less fuel.
Anticipate the road ahead so you can slow down more naturally rather than suddenly.
Remove roof bars and roof racks, or a roof box if used infrequently as the drag caused by them significantly impacts fuel efficiency.
If you carry a lot of stuff in your boot that you rarely use, empty it. A lighter car is more efficient.
Use the technology in your car such as stop-start, which cuts fuel by cutting the engine when idling at traffic lights, or cruise control on motorways, for example.
Shell Forecourt U.K.
Alternatives
If you’re considering switching cars, you can look for alternatives that will save fuel, such as:
Downsizing the car and engine
Choosing a hybrid
Choosing a Plug-in Hybrid
Choosing an Electric Car
For those with driveways, drivers can consider a plug-in hybrid, such as the new MG S9 PHEV, which allows for shorter journey’s to be completed on electricity, or longer journey’s that spread the battery depletion over the journey leading to exceptional MPG figures. And when paired to an EV tariff for cheap overnight charging, the savings quickly compound.
EV Charging Hub London
It could also be time to consider an electric car. These now come in a variety of sizes, price points and with various battery options to find cars with suitable ranges.
Charging up at home brings benefits such as paying 7p kWh on an EV tariff for overnight charging. Essentially you’re locking in your fuel costs for a year so there are no unexpected surprises.
And a full charge may cost £5 for 250 - 300+ miles of driving, depending on the cars efficiency, but in addition, using the electricity during the same window as charging your car - whether it’s a washing machine, tumble dryer etc - can help keep household costs down, too.
There are useful guides for buying or selling a car as well as information on leasing a car.
For the latest deals on cars, head over to Definitely Not A Guru for weekly deals on new cars and vans from all fuel types.
However, if changing your car isn’t an option, there are the above tips to follow that may help ease the burden whilst fuel prices remain high.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.