One third of filling stations charging £2 per litre for diesel

• AA says ‘shop around’ as 6p litre differences common

• Reduce speed to save fuel

• Consider cutting out short journeys

AA analysis of Government ‘fuel finder’ data shows that around one third of filling stations are charging more than £2 per litre for diesel.

As of last night 2,577, fuel stations listed diesel at £2 or more a litre out of approximately 8,000 stations.

Many of these are motorway and major route forecourts with prices much higher than £2 a litre which skews the average upwards. But what it does mean is that two thirds are not charging this much so it is worth shopping around. The AA App shows plenty of areas where there is a 6p-a-litre difference in prices in garages close by.

Edmund King, AA president, says: “We all know that skyrocket fuel prices are hitting drivers and industry.

“The government can help by getting rid of the proposed 5p fuel duty increase and cutting another 5p off duty. This could be funded by the extra VAT income the Treasury has collected as a result of higher fuel prices. Every 6p increase in the pump price gives the Treasury an extra 1p VAT.

“Drivers can also help themselves by using the AA app or fuel finder data to find the cheaper forecourts. We have found differences between 6-10p litre from garages fairly close together so it is worth shopping around.

“With household budgets so stretched, drivers may wish to consider if they can cut out short car journeys by walking or cycling or combining several trips to save fuel overall. AA research also shows that cutting speeds and changing driving style can save 15% of fuel.

“The high prices also mean more people are exploring the opportunities of going electric. Searches for used EVs on the AA Cars portal have rocketed during this period of hight fuel prices.”

AA top tips to save fuel

1. Slow down – Speed has a major impact on fuel consumption. Driving at 70mph uses noticeably more fuel than at 60mph, particularly because aerodynamic drag rises rapidly with speed.
2. Drive smoothly – Avoid harsh acceleration and heavy braking. Look well ahead, anticipate traffic and maintain a steady speed where conditions allow.
3. Use the highest appropriate gear – Change up reasonably early and avoid unnecessarily high engine revs. In an automatic, gentle acceleration will generally encourage earlier gear changes.
4. Check your tyre pressures – Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can increase fuel consumption. Check them regularly against the manufacturer's recommended pressures.
5. Lighten the load – Don't carry unnecessary weight in the boot. Remove roof boxes and roof racks when you're not using them, as they create additional aerodynamic drag.
6. Don't idle unnecessarily – If you're safely parked and likely to be stationary for a while, switching off the engine saves fuel. Modern stop-start systems do this automatically.
7. Plan ahead – Avoid congested routes where possible and combine several short journeys into one. A cold engine is generally less efficient than one at normal operating temperature.
8. Use air conditioning sensibly – Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption, particularly at lower speeds. At higher speeds, however, opening windows can increase aerodynamic drag, so don't automatically assume windows down will save fuel.
9. Keep the car maintained – Regular servicing, correct oil and properly maintained tyres all help the vehicle operate efficiently.
10. Shop around for fuel – Pump prices can vary significantly even within a small area. Compare local prices, but don't make a long diversion that uses up the saving.

King concluded: “The simplest way to cut your fuel bill is to take your foot off the accelerator. Smoother acceleration, anticipating the road ahead, keeping tyres correctly inflated and removing unnecessary weight can all help motorists squeeze more miles from every tank.”

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Questions and Answers

How many UK filling stations are charging £2 a litre for diesel?

AA analysis of the Government’s Fuel Finder data found that 2,577 filling stations were listing diesel at £2 per litre or more, out of approximately 8,000 stations. That means around one third of filling stations were charging at least £2 per litre for diesel at the time of the analysis.

Are all UK filling stations charging £2 a litre for diesel?

No. Around one third of filling stations were charging £2 per litre or more for diesel, meaning roughly two thirds were below £2 per litre. Motorway and major-route service stations are among the locations where prices can be particularly high.

Why are some diesel prices above £2 per litre?

Fuel prices can vary considerably between filling stations because of factors including wholesale fuel costs, operating costs, location and retailer pricing. Motorway and major-route forecourts can be substantially more expensive than nearby alternatives.

How much can petrol and diesel prices vary between nearby filling stations?

The AA has found differences of around 6p to 10p per litre between filling stations relatively close to each other. On a 50-litre fill-up, a 6p-per-litre difference is worth £3, while a 10p difference is worth £5.

How can drivers find cheaper petrol and diesel?

Drivers should compare prices before filling up. The AA app can help motorists check nearby fuel prices and identify cheaper filling stations. However, drivers should avoid making a long diversion that uses more fuel than the saving is worth.

How can drivers reduce their fuel consumption?

Drivers can reduce fuel use by driving more smoothly, avoiding unnecessary acceleration and braking, reducing speed where appropriate, keeping tyres correctly inflated, removing unnecessary weight and combining several short journeys into one.

Does driving more slowly save fuel?

Yes. Higher speeds generally increase fuel consumption because aerodynamic drag rises rapidly as speed increases. The AA says changing driving style and reducing speed can cut fuel consumption by as much as 15%.

Why can short car journeys use more fuel?

A cold engine is generally less efficient than an engine at its normal operating temperature. Combining several short journeys into one longer trip can therefore help reduce overall fuel consumption. Walking or cycling suitable short journeys can also reduce the amount of fuel used.

How much tax does the Government receive when fuel prices increase?

VAT on road fuel is charged at 20%. This means that, broadly, every 6p increase in the VAT-inclusive pump price includes around 1p of additional VAT. The AA is calling on the Government to cancel the proposed 5p fuel-duty increase and cut fuel duty by a further 5p.

Are high petrol and diesel prices increasing interest in electric cars?

The AA says searches for used electric vehicles on the AA Cars portal have risen sharply during the period of high fuel prices, suggesting more motorists are exploring electric cars as an alternative.