Over a quarter of UK drivers will use their car less due to fuel spikes

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s attack on Iran has disrupted oil supplies and markets across the globe. And fuel companies have wasted no time in, shall we say, ‘responding’. UK forecourts over the Easter weekend were charging on average £1.57 a litre for petrol, and £1.89 for diesel.

Again, as with concern over UK jobs, fretting over fuel prices is nothing compared to the threat of genocide. But as with all aspects of the cost of living crisis, rising prices affect people’s lives.

Fuel prices all over the place

And with the cost of fuel being so volatile, some motorists are beginning to worry about their car usage. According to data from ChooseMyCar.com, 29% of drivers now say they will use their car less. Over a quarter (27%) say they will cut down the number of miles they usually drive in an effort to save money.

This ongoing issue adds to further difficulty for UK drivers, who were already having to deal with an increase in fuel duty, after it was cut by 5p in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite calls to reverse this decision, the government is still set to go ahead with the fuel duty hike, which will rise in three different stages, starting by 1p in September 2026.

The sudden spike in prices has also caused many drivers to panic buy. In some places, 90-car long queues have formed at petrol stations, resulting in fuel shortages in a number of stations.

Such is the anxiety caused by further potential increases, alongside the recent hikes, that a fifth (20%) of road users say they will keep their car more filled up than usual. Meanwhile, 17% say they drive more slowly and carefully to save on fuel consumption.

But perhaps more worryingly, 14% of UK drivers say they will have to cut back spending in other areas of life, such as entertainment or food, to cover fuel costs. The cost of living crisis has long been an issue for millions in the UK. Food and energy bills remain significantly higher than pre-2022 levels. And with fuel prices increasing once again, it appears that many more will suffer financial blows.

In response to the data, Nick Zapolski of ChooseMyCar.com has offered drivers several fuel-saving tips:

The Iran and US situation has got worse over the past month or so, and this has bumped up our fuel prices, which have reached higher than £1.57 per litre for petrol, and are approaching £2 for diesel, in many places.

Understandably, this is worrying news for a lot of drivers. Even though we’ve only seen initial price rises, 70% have said they’ve already been affected by the new increased costs. With various government laws and changes over recent years, drivers have suffered a number of financial setbacks – this is just the latest. As a result, it’s causing millions of drivers to panic buy.

But, before making any drastic decisions, I urge drivers not to do this. It’s understandable, but there’s not much point. Spikes in prices can lead to petrol shortages, but these issues are usually sorted very quickly. Supply is still flowing normally, so there’s no need to change your fuel-buying habits. At the moment, you’re just queuing up when you don’t need to, and it’s causing stations to run out of fuel!

If you’re worried that you’ll struggle to cover the cost of any increased prices, there are small bits you can do to help keep the cost down. While some of these tips may sound a bit unusual, they help regulate your car’s temperature, which can make a huge difference.

Here are ChooseMyCar.com’s tips to lower your fuel consumption:

Watch your accelerator and check your tyre pressure

As whacky as it sounds, a bowl of water on your passenger seat is a great deterrent for unnecessary acceleration and braking. It sounds a bit strange, but it’s a simple and brilliant reminder to drive gently. If you hit the accelerator too hard, you’ll see water pour over the sides. Likewise, if you’re driving too fast and braking hard, you’ll notice water on the seat. The best bowls to use for this are small cereal bowls, with water about an inch from the top.

[Note: this Canary writer, a trained professional driver, thinks driving around with an actual bowl of water is a terrible idea. It’s likely to result in dangerous distraction and a sopping wet passenger seat. However, visualising an imaginary bowl and driving accordingly does make sense. Smooth driving, using anticipation to avoid jerky movements, saves fuel and is safer.]

Under-inflated tyres aren’t just dangerous, they increase your car’s overall fuel consumption, too. When tyres are too soft, they bend more as they roll along the road. This creates more rolling resistance, which means your car has to work harder to move forward. To ensure your tyres aren’t causing you to use so much fuel, check their pressure at least once a month.

Reduce your speed and use cruise control when appropriate

Watching your speed isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s also a simple way to use less fuel. Your car will use more fuel if you drive at a higher speed, particularly when going over 70mph. And driving at 70mph instead of 80mph, which 17% said they would do, could save you up to 25% in fuel.

Your car will use up a lot of energy if it’s constantly speeding up or slowing down, so it’s best to maintain a consistent, steady speed when possible. Cruise control can be an effective fuel-saver on flat long surfaces, such as motorways, and may save your vehicle up to 14% more fuel in the process.

Empty your car out or, to save most fuel, don’t use it at all

Excess weight in your car can be a real fuel burner. It’s good practice to empty your car daily, especially if you have particularly heavy items in there. So make sure you don’t drive to work on Monday morning with a load of weekend clutter still in the boot.

Consider cycling to your destination if that’s practical. Not only will you save money on fuel, but you can also cancel your gym membership too. As a quick example, if your journey to work is two miles, it could take less than 15 minutes to bike and, most importantly, would save you money.

Featured image via the Canary