Category Archives: Fuel Prices

Motorists panic buying fuel as Coryton Fuel Refinery closes

25 January, 2012   Karl   No comments

coryton fuel refinery closure Motorists panic buying fuel as Coryton Fuel Refinery closes

Motorists have been urged not to panic buy fuel as the news of  the Coryton fuel refinery closure spreads. 

The refinery, which supplies over 20% of the fuel to London and the South East stopped supplies when its Swiss-owned parent company Petroplus went into administration.

News of the closure has already sparked panic buying around the UK, with news coverage of the closure further prompting motorists to “stock up”. 

Oil Minister, Charles Hendry said  “We don’t want everybody to go out and get it [fuel] tonight, because that clearly wouldn’t be helpful. People need to be completely confident that if they go about their business as normal then there is completely enough fuel available and that BP and Shell have been going to great lengths to make sure that is the case.

“There is the capacity in some of the other refineries in the UK. Companies like BP and Shell, who are the main buyers of the output from Coryton, have already made short-term arrangements to make sure that they get the fuel from other sources. We have spare import capacity so we can bring extra fuel in as necessary.”

We are keep to see how this if effecting fourecourt queues in your area, let us know in the comments how your local station is holding up.

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UK Petrol sales fall as motorists tighten their belts

04 January, 2012   Karl   No comments

old petrol station hypermiling UK Petrol sales fall as motorists tighten their belts

2011 has witnessed a significant slump in petrol sales in the UK with the very nice men at the AA predicting further falls in to 2012.

Petrol sales between January and September 2011 totalled 13.9 billion litres showing a fall of over over 6%. The economic downturn together with the rising price of fuel is forcing motorists think twice about making journeys unless they are absolutely necessary.

Results of an AA survey of more than 20,000 members has shown that 40% will resort to hypermiling either make less journeys or try to drive more economically in 2012.

Head of AA public affairs; Paul Watters commented, “Drivers are clearly being forced into cutting their motoring by the high price of fuel and, for many, this will impose difficult constraints on their lives. We have reached the stage where motoring is once again only easily affordable for the better off and, with the car still the mainstay means of travel for the majority, that is depressing news at the start of 2012.”

For those reading this that are considering driving more economically in 2012 see our Hypermiling Techniques page.

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Chancellor scraps planned fuel duty rise

29 November, 2011   Karl   No comments

george osbourne futy duty price freeze 300x241 Chancellor scraps planned fuel duty riseUK motorists have been spared further pain at the fuel pumps today as George Osborne announced a freeze in fuel duty during his Autumn Statement.

A 3p rise on tax paid on both unleaded petrol and diesel was due to come into effect on January 1 but the increase has been cancelled. Mr Osborne has also confirmed that the further rise in August of 2012 has been reduced from 5p to 3p a litre.

The scrapping of the duty increase comes after an online petition by the fairfuelUK group, headed by Quentin Wilson forced a government debate over fuel prices.

In a statement on the fairfuelUK Quentin Willson, spokesman for FairFuelUK said, ‘This is a victory for FairFuelUK but only a stay of execution. We’ve saved the UK 9p since March in proposed fuel duty rises and we are now the gatekeepers of fuel sanity for this country. We’re going to carry on pressurising this government to keep duty down and reduce it significantly. If we don’t they’ll hike it up again the first chance they get”.

Families have been struggling to cope as fuel prices bite. Many have opted for more fuel efficient cars such as diesels or hybrid cars.

The Chancellor has claimed that these combined measures in duty would save the average UK family £144 per year.

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EU approves fuel duty discount for remote islands

17 November, 2011   Karl   No comments

Outer Hebrides fuel duty price cut 300x187 EU approves fuel duty discount for remote islandsA proposal by the UK government  for a fuel duty discount for remote island communities has been approved by the European Commission.

The proposal covers the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles, the islands in the Clyde and the Isles of Scilly. It will see 5p a litre slashes from the forecourt prices.

Prices on the islands are on average 10p a litre more expensive than those on the mainland due to increase transport and distribution costs.

Government sources said it could take a number of months for the scheme to be implemented.

At present, the UK government adds demands 57.95p a litre in fuel duty, this is more than 10p more than cost of the product.

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Supermarkets launch a new wave of “fuel price wars”

16 November, 2011   Karl   No comments

supermarket fuel price wars Supermarkets launch a new wave of fuel price warsSupermarkets are prompting luring customers to spend more in-store and receive coupons that can be reclaimed when they fill up at the pumps.

Shoppers at Sainsbury’s are being offered a record 10p off every litre of fuel when they spend £60 or more in store or via their store’s website.  Commercial director of Sainsbury’s Group,  Mike Coupe said “Customers tell us that they are already starting to stock up for Christmas so we are sure that this fantastic promotion will be welcome news for families at what can be an expensive time of year.”

Morrisons followed suit by launching Fuel Britannia, an offer which gives customers who spend £40 in store 6p off every litre.  Tesco made the first move in this round of price wars last Friday when it announced shoppers spending £50 or more are eligible for a 5p discount voucher on fuel.

If you spot an new fuel promotions you think your fellow Hypermilers should be aware of, please contact us or leave details in the comments below.

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FTA: Hauliers feeling the squeeze as high fuel prices continue to bite

06 September, 2011   Karl   No comments

uk truck fuel prices FTA: Hauliers feeling the squeeze as high fuel prices continue to bite

A report by the FTA “Freight Transport Association” has shown that high fuel costs remain the biggest cause for concern amongst haulage operators. The 12 months up to July 2011 have shown an astronomic 12% increase in fuel costs.

FTA’s latest figures show that on average, vehicle operating costs for rigid, articulated and drawbar vehicles have risen by 5.6 per cent in the year to 1 July 2011 while haulage rates have risen by an average of just 1.8%.

These huge rises have caused misery for commercial vehicle operators and drivers across the UK, forcing many to struggle to remain in business.

Bruce Goodhart, FTA Research Analyst, commented:

“Hauliers were able to ride out the recession by reducing margins and delaying vehicle replacement.  However, they are continuing to feel the pinch with rising input costs, the high price of fuel and pressure from their customers not to increase charges.  Economic growth is currently very weak in the UK and it is likely that some hauliers may not be able to sustain their business in these circumstances.”

The FTA remains a heavy weight supporter of the FairFuelUK campaign which is pressuring the government to reduce the unfair fuel duty plaguing UK businesses and motorists alike.

Read more to see the FTA’s cost breakdown

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Fair Fuel UK Campaign needs just 34,000 more signatures

01 September, 2011   Karl   1 Comment

fair fuel uk Fair Fuel UK Campaign needs just 34,000 more signatures

Headed by motoring “authority” Quentin Willson, the Fair Fuel UK Campaign is making good ground raising the profile of the ridiculous fuel duty crippling the UK. Their e-petition has been signed by over 66,000 but needs to make the magic 100,000 before parliament has to listen.

The petition calls for the scrapping of planned duty increases in January and August 2012 of 4p. The extra duty would push fuel prices to unseen levels, causing misery for motorists and businesses across the UK. It also calls for pressure on oil companies to pass on cheaper oil prices, an offical commission to look at market competitiveness and a fuel price stabilisation mechanism.

A fair fuel stabiliser has already been introduced but the boys at number 10 are keeping mum on its use so far.

Please support the campaign for lower fuel prices and sign the e-petiton on the direct.gov website.

Continue reading for the full petition details

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