Anyone who filled up their car in the last week or two will probably have noticed the number on the pump ticking up again. According to the RAC's Fuel Watch data, average UK petrol prices rose by around 5p a litre in a single week to 167.17p, with diesel climbing to 188.63p. On a typical 55-litre family car fill-up, that works out to roughly an extra £2.75 every time you visit the forecourt, and for anyone doing regular motorway miles or running a larger vehicle, the difference adds up fast over a month.
So what is behind the jump? The RAC has pointed to rising wholesale costs, driven in part by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has unsettled global oil markets. When crude oil prices move, it typically takes a week or two to filter through to the price at the pump, so this recent rise reflects market nerves rather than anything happening at UK filling stations themselves. The RAC is now calling on the government to freeze fuel duty rather than allow the scheduled increase due in January to go ahead, arguing that drivers are already under enough pressure. As the RAC's Rod Dennis put it, drivers are having to dig ever deeper into their pockets every time they fill up.
It is a timely reminder that fuel costs remain one of the biggest variables in the cost of running a car, and one that is largely out of any individual driver's control. That said, there are still a few sensible things you can do to soften the impact.
First, it is worth shopping around rather than defaulting to the nearest forecourt out of habit. Prices can vary by ten pence a litre or more between filling stations just a few miles apart, particularly between supermarket forecourts and motorway service stations. Apps and websites that compare local fuel prices take a couple of minutes to check and can genuinely save you money over a year of regular driving.
Second, how you drive matters more than most people realise. Smooth acceleration, avoiding harsh braking, keeping tyres properly inflated and not carrying unnecessary weight in the boot can all improve fuel economy by a meaningful margin. Motorway driving at a steady 60 to 65mph rather than pushing on to 80 also makes a noticeable difference to how far a tank goes.
Third, if fuel costs are becoming a genuine strain on your monthly budget, it may be worth looking at whether your current vehicle is still the right fit. A car that suits weekend trips and the school run is not always the most economical choice for someone doing high weekly mileage, and there are now a wide range of efficient petrol, hybrid and electric options that can bring monthly running costs down considerably compared with an older or larger vehicle.
At Lincoln Vehicle Solutions we speak to drivers every week who are weighing up exactly this kind of decision, whether that is switching to a more efficient hybrid, trying an EV for the first time, or simply finding a newer car that does more miles to the gallon. There is no pressure and no obligation. If you would like an honest conversation about whether a change of car could ease some of the pressure at the pump, we are happy to talk it through with you.