Brits told to drive less to save fuel after prices soar

Motorists are being urged to stop ‘non essential journeys’ after the cost of oil jumped up to $100 a barrel.

The cost of Petrol and Diesel has increased massively since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.

The RAC said the average price of petrol is up 5p to 137.5p and diesel up 9p to 151p a liter since the current crisis began on Saturday 28 February.

This means that for an average five door car with a 42 liter engine, Brits could pay around £58 to fill up their car’s tank.

Now the president of the AA, Edmund King, is urging Brits to make fewer journeys to save money, and suggested motorists should change their driving style to be more fuel efficient.

Mr King said: ‘The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil.

‘Any time Brent Crude passes 100 dollars per barrel raises concern across the markets, for the haulage industry and drivers.

‘There will be gradual increases in pump prices, but this shouldn’t happen overnight as fuel has been purchased at previous prices.

‘Our suggestion is that drivers should not change their refuelling habits but can consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel.’

Disruption to tanker traffic in the Middle East has sparked a rise in oil prices, which have a significant effect on wholesale fuel prices.

Analysis of the historic link between oil and fuel prices by think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows oil trading at 100 dollars a barrel typically results in petrol prices of about 150p per liter, while oil hitting 120 dollars a barrel means petrol prices of about 170p per liter.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘Average petrol and diesel prices have rocketed in the last week and are unfortunately likely to keep on rising, so the situation for UK drivers is looking increasingly bleak.

‘Unleaded is almost certainly going to reach an average of 140p in the next week or so, while diesel looks highly likely to climb to at least 160p a liter.

‘We encourage drivers to continue filling up as normal but to shop around for the best prices.’

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