The Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) today (Thursday 22nd May 2008) said that high fuel prices could put a dampener on family breaks this bank holiday weekend.
Despite more fuel efficient cars, a typical trip of 1,000 miles will cost up to 50 per cent more than in 2003.
The IAM suggests that diesel drivers, traditionally cheaper to run than petrol cars, are likely to be hardest hit.
"Fuel costs, not the weather, are most likely to ruin the traditional motoring Bank Holiday that was once a cheap Spring break for the family," says Neil Greig, IAM Trust Director.
"And record fuel prices, especially for drivers of diesels, have wiped out the promised financial benefits of driving a new fuel-efficient car."
Driving 1,000 miles in a new diesel Ford Focus would have cost £79.58 in 2003 but at this year’s fuel prices and in the 2008 edition, the price has risen to £120.57.
Making the same journey in a petrol car would have cost £106.08 in 2003 but this year would cost £146.47 – a 38 per cent increase.
This is in spite of new cars being five per cent more fuel efficient than their 2003 counterparts.
