Drivers urged 30-second check can share cheapest fuel before sharp rise
With fuel duty set to rise in the October Budget, motoring expert has shared a helpful way that drivers can get the most petrol or diesel for their money.
The insurance comparison service Confused.com has recommended that drivers make one check before heading to the petrol station, stating it could save them hundreds of pounds every year.
With many predicting that fuel duty will rise for the first time since 2012 in the looming October Budget, more drivers are being more considerate about how much they spend at the pumps.
Rhydian Jones, a car insurance expert at Confused.com, noted that one of the most effective ways to cut down on their fuel bills is by checking the prices before they visit.
He advised: "When it comes to topping up your tank, it can be confusing to know which fuel stations are the cheapest around.
"Our fuel cost calculator gives drivers the option to explore prices in the area. All you need to do is put in a postcode to see where you can get the best deal."
Many automotive apps and websites, including Confused.com's, feature a service allowing drivers to see live fuel prices at stations near them to see where the cheapest petrol or diesel is located.
Drivers will simply need to enter their postcode and the type of fuel they need to buy. The service will then list the price at a number of petrol stations, their locations, and how much of a saving drivers can make by filling up there.
In most cases, supermarkets offer the cheapest petrol and diesel around, however motorists may be surprised to find even better bargains on a lesser-known forecourt.
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Rhydian highlighted that the predicted rise in fuel duty in the upcoming Budget is a good reason for drivers to be more mindful of their motoring bills.
He explained: "Since 2022, drivers have been paying a lower fuel duty than previous years, with a cut of 5p per litre. And although it might not seem a lot, this has helped drivers save about £130 a year. Our research found that nine in 10 drive a fuel vehicle, so this has certainly helped many cut back on costs.
"But there are discussions that this cut might be reversed, and fuel duty could increase by even more than 5p per litre. While this may put a strain on the pockets of many, drivers must remember there are many ways to improve your fuel economy."
Fuel duty has been frozen at a rate of 58p per litre since 2012 and was cut by a further 5p in early 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused oil to skyrocket in price.
However, many financial experts are predicting that the new Labour Government will reverse the cut and end the freeze on fuel duty, with some estimating an increase to 63p per litre.
As a result, drivers of a vehicle with a 50-litre fuel tank may soon need to pay an additional £5 to fill up with petrol or diesel, possibly spending £260 more if they brim their car's tank once per week.
