Where can I get cheaper fuel for the car?

Drivers are really feeling the pinch at the moment as petrol and diesel prices continue to soar. So what can you do to ease the financial pressure?

Shop around

According to the AA, supermarkets are currently charging an average of 3p a litre less for petrol than non-supermarket forecourts.

Meanwhile, diesel costs nearly 4p less at supermarkets.

So the AA is encouraging motorists to shop around for the best deals.

Compare fuel prices

Drivers have also been urged to check prices at nearby forecourts before they fill up, so they can make sure they’re getting the cheapest fuel.

Near real-time fuel prices are now being displayed on lots of different online tools and apps, so can check prices before you set off and choose the cheapest petrol station nearby.

These include:

• Google Maps
• The AA
• Confused.com
• DriveScore
• Fuel Finder UK
• Fuel Spy
• MotorMouth
• PetrolPrices.com
• RAC Fuel Watch 

How much more expensive has filling up the car become?

AA figures show that a litre of petrol currently costs an average of 174.27p.

That’s 42.56p a litre - or 32.2% - higher than it was a week before the US-Israel war with Iran started.

So if you commute 15 miles to and from work five times a week, and average 40 miles per gallon, you could be spending more than £1,300 a year on fuel over 46 working weeks.

The same commute would have cost just over £1,000 before the conflict in the Middle East began.

“For millions of people, filling up isn’t discretionary spending,” said AA president Edmund King.

“It’s part of the cost of going to work.”

Meanwhile, a litre of diesel currently costs 199.27p a litre on average - an increase of 57.81p, or 40.9%.

Will the government help drivers in the Budget?

Soaring petrol and diesel prices are just one expense putting pressure on hard-pressed households right now.

So the government is under pressure to take steps to help people with the cost of living in the Budget on 28th October.

The AA, for instance, wants chancellor John Healey to protect the existing 5p fuel duty cut and go further by cutting duty by another 5p a litre.

This, it says, could be worth around 6p a litre if it is passed on to drivers in full.

What else can I do to cut fuel costs?

As well as shopping around and comparing prices, you can:

Avoid motorway services 

Motorists are hit with premium prices at service stations, so if you’re planning a long drive, fill up before you get on the motorway.

Sign up for fuel loyalty cards

If there’s one or two petrol stations and supermarket forecourts you use regularly, sign up for loyalty schemes if they have them.

For example, Shell Go+, BPme Rewards and Texaco Rewards allow you to collect points that can be exchanged for money on fuel.

And you can also use supermarket loyalty schemes like Tesco’s Clubcard for fuel purchases.

Drive efficiently and look after your car

How you drive and the condition of your vehicle makes a big difference to how much fuel you use and how much you spend.

Use cashback 

Paying for fuel with cashback credit or debit card could also help offset higher prices.

But remember you have to repay the full balance each month to avoid paying interest, as this could cost you more than the saving in the long term.

Check out our blog on 10 easy ways to cut the cost of driving for more money-saving tips.