Petrol prices have been holding at about 144p a litre for weeks, while diesel prices have been steady at about 150p a litre, according to official figures. But that doesn’t mean your fuel bill can’t come down.
While there’s not much you can do to lower the per-litre price at your nearest petrol station, there are plenty of ways to save money on your fuel. Some include simple measures, such as driving efficiently, while others involve more something more time consuming such as organising a carpool.
In this article, we cover:
- How much does it cost to fill up my car?
- What are some of the best ways to cut the cost of driving?
- How much tax do I pay on fuel?
Read more: Should I use E5 or E10 petrol and which is more economical?
How much does it cost to fill up my car?
According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the average UK petrol price is £1.43 and the average cost for diesel in the UK is £1.49 a litre as of 5 August.
| Average price | Change on last week | Change on year | Cost to fill up 50-litre tank | |
| Unleaded | 143.4p | 0.8p fall | 2.8p fall | £71.71 |
| Diesel | 149.1p | 1.1p fall | 0.9p rise | £74.55 |
Where you fill up your vehicle can make a huge difference to how much you pay.
Fuel promotions are often used by supermarkets to lure in shoppers. On average, buying fuel at a supermarket is about 24p cheaper than if you were to fill up at a motorway service station.
There are also big regional differences.
According to separate data from the RAC, London is the most expensive area to buy petrol in the UK, charging around 6p more a litre than Northern Ireland, the cheapest area of the country to buy fuel.
Read more: How to compare car insurance
Nine ways to cut petrol costs and save on fuel
1. Do your research
Fuel cost vary widely across the country but also in the same town. Make sure you do your research and check for the cheapest in your area.
Supermarket petrol stations are often the cheapest, but not always, and motorway service stations tend to be the most expensive. So get to know the stations in your local area and look beyond the big brands; an independent retailer might offer a better price.
2. Drive efficiently
The way you drive can have a big impact on your fuel consumption. If you want to save money on fuel, being more conscious about when you brake and how fast you’re going can help.
The tips below can help you save money on fuel:
- Accelerate gradually and avoid harsh braking
- Change gears earlier, and try to stay in the highest possible gear while sticking to the speed limit
- Keep your revs low while you change up through the gears
- Look far ahead and anticipate so you can keep moving
- Accelerate a little before hills so the momentum will carry you up
For Times Subscribers: Petrol prices published across the UK — how do yours compare?
3. Keep up with vehicle maintenance
Keeping your vehicle properly maintained will improve its fuel efficiency.
Aside from your annual MOT and service, there are things you can do yourself more frequently:
- Make sure you are driving on the correct tyre pressure and pump your tyres up if needed. Your car’s manual will tell you the correct pounds per square inch (PSI) and you can use a digital tyre pressure gauge to check.
- Check the tread depth on your tyres and replace them before they get too worn – worn tyres will have poor grip on the road. Tread depth is the space between the bit that touches the road and the bottom of the groove on the tyre; legally, it should be at least 1.6mm.
- Engine oil levels are important for your car to run smoothly. So check your oil with the dipstick in your car when the engine is cool, and top up if needed.
Can you save money with an electric car? We look at whether you can save money buying an electric car.
Read more: Eleven tips for cheaper car insurance
4. Lighten the load
Removing unnecessary weight will allow your car to accelerate more easily on less fuel, so ditch the clutter in your car.
- Don’t keep bulky items like a pram in your boot if you’re not using it.
- Remove bike racks or roof racks when not in use as these create wind resistance that makes your car less aerodynamic.
- Avoid driving with a full tank of petrol if possible, as fuel is heavy and the extra weight will slow you down.
5. Avoid using your AC
Another tip for more economical car use is to turn off your AC – or heating, depending on the weather – as it uses engine power, which burns fuel.
While it’s good practice to run the air con sometimes to keep your seals healthy, you should avoid using it too much if you want to save on fuel.
Unfortunately, opening the window instead also uses up petrol because it causes a drag effect on the car.
6. Consider carpooling, car-sharing apps and car clubs
Carpooling is when you share a journey with one or more others, such as on a regular commute to work. It’s a cheap, green and sociable way to travel, and you can arrange it informally with work colleagues or school-run parents.
Alternatively, try lift-sharing apps and websites such as BlaBlaCar and Liftshare. You can offer a lift in your car if you’re making a particular journey, or request a lift from someone else, and split the cost.
It will usually work out much cheaper than the cost of making a journey alone.
Obviously, you will be travelling with a stranger, so put your safety first.
Find out what sort of checks or vetting the car-share website conducts on its members, don’t give anyone your home address, meet in a public place, and make sure a friend or family member always knows who you are travelling with, when and where.
A car club allows you to book a rental car by the hour through an app and pick it up from a street near you, unlocking it with your phone.
Companies that offer this service include:
7. Try fuel loyalty cards
Some petrol stations have loyalty schemes, so if there’s one or two you use regularly, consider signing up for fuel loyalty cards.
Shell Go+, BPme Rewards and Texaco Star Rewards allow you to collect points that can be used to save money on fuel.
Meanwhile, supermarket loyalty schemes such as Sainsbury’s Nectar card and Tesco Clubcard can also be used on fuel purchases.Look out for discounts and promotions on petrol too.
For more ideas, read 20 simple ways to save money.
8. Use cashback cards to cut petrol costs
Paying for your fuel with a cashback credit or debit card could also help offset higher petrol prices.
What you could earn on a cashback credit card. For instance, 5% cashback on purchases for three months with a current best-buy card from Amex will be more than on a debit card.
But with a credit card you must repay the full balance each month to avoid paying interest. The interest may well cost you more than you can earn in cashback.
We round up the top cashback credit cards.
9. Use GPS navigation
Most of us use satnav, which is good because there’s nothing fuel-saving about getting lost or stuck in a jam.
Apps such as Google Maps show the quickest routes and work in real time to help drivers avoid traffic blackspots. It will show you the most fuel-efficient ways of getting around when it rolls out eco-friendly routing in the UK this year.
How much tax is on fuel?
There are two types of tax levied on fuel: VAT and fuel duty.
Together they make up almost 50% of the cost of a litre of fuel.
If you are a subscriber of The Times, you can read their latest UK inflation Q&A here.
Important information
Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.
