Page 4 – PetrolPrices

Study reveals Volkswagen drivers are the messiest

Jun 28, 2023

Car finance company, Go Car Credit, reveal Volkswagen (VW) drivers are the messiest, spending the least time cleaning their cars (14 minutes / week).

Renault and Nissan drivers were not far behind, spending roughly 16 minutes per week cleaning their vehicles, 20% less than the national average.

As well as being messy, VW drivers may also neglect vehicle upkeep, as VW drivers were found to spend the least amount of time maintaining their vehicles.

Bentley car drivers are the cleanest, spending twice as much time cleaning their cars than the average person. Bentley owners spend 40 minutes per week cleaning their car compared to just 20 minutes from the average UK car driver.

With the season of spring-cleaning upon us, Go Car Credit was keen to find out which car drivers are the cleanest and which were the messiest. Surveying 1000 car owners, the data revealed Bentley drivers were also the most car proud, spending 50% more time cleaning and maintaining their cars than cleaning their own homes. Bentley drivers also spend the most time maintaining their vehicles (44 minutes per week compared to 19 minutes of the average driver).

The survey also found that men spend 25% more time cleaning their cars than women (18 minutes compared to 22 minutes per week).

Other key findings include:

VW owners spend the least time cleaning their cars (14 minutes / week)
Londoners are the cleanest car owners (27 minutes / week)
Mini drivers spent 4 times as much time cleaning their homes than their cars
The average UK car driver spends 20 minutes per week cleaning their car

Looking at differences between the owners of specific car brands, the research revealed that Aston Martin drivers were the most car proud, spending 84% more time cleaning and maintaining their cars than cleaning their homes (64.57 minutes compared to 25.86 minutes).

Keen to uncover which cars are the cleanest, Go Car Credit created a ranked table of car brand owners and the time they spend cleaning and maintaining their cars:

Although Volkswagen drivers were the least clean, spending on average 14 minutes per week cleaning their cars, Mini drivers were the most house-proud car owners. They showed the biggest difference, spending over 4 times as much time cleaning their homes than their cars (20 minutes cleaning their cars compared to 114 minutes cleaning their homes per week).

Looking at regional difference, Londoners were the cleanest car owners, spending 27 minutes per week cleaning their vehicles, spending 7 minutes more than the national average of 20 minutes per week. The South-East spends the least time cleaning their cars, dedicating only 15 minutes per week to cleaning their vehicles. House-proud Scotland saw the biggest difference, spending 108 minutes cleaning their homes compared to 17 minutes cleaning their cars each week.

As a result of the study, Go Car Credit launched a competition to find the UK’s messiest car. Go Car Credit’s Marketing Manager Hayley O’Connor said; “We wanted to see just how messy people let their cars get and if a VW driver would come out on top.”

UK drivers submitted photographs of their messiest vehicle interiors to Go Car Credit’s Facebook page. Following a selection process by a panel of judges from Go Car Credit, it can now reveal the winning entry came from Tammy from Norfolk with her Vauxhall Astra.

The winning image contained empty McDonald’s packaging, lateral flow tests, empty drinks bottles, sweet and crisp wrappers, an ice cream stick, discarded clothing, magazines, and paper towels. Hayley continued: “We found a whole range of messy motorists. We recommend car drivers take care of their vehicles for health and safety reasons.”

When is the best day to take your driving test?

Jun 21, 2023

According to research by findandfundmycar.com driving test pass rates vary for different days of the week. Road use may fluctuate throughout the working week. Mondays can be chaotic with morning traffic and lunchtime rushes, as can Fridays for the same reasons, whereas the weekends might be quieter unless significant events like a football match are on.

Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) statistics show that, surprisingly, Monday is the day you are most likely to pass your driving test, with it having a 49.58% pass rate – just 0.49% higher than the runner-up, Tuesday. In stark contrast, the worst day to book your test is Sunday, with a pass rate of 45.14% – 4.44% less than Monday.

Here are pass rates for the days of the week:

Monday – 49.58%

Tuesday – 49.09%

Thursday – 48.54%

Wednesday – 48.25%

Friday – 47.38%

Saturday – 47.15%

Sunday – 45.14%

Driving Test: When is the best day to take your driving test?

When is the best month to book your driving test?

Statistics from the DVSA point towards April as the best month to book your driving test, while January has emerged as the worst month.

April has a pass rate of 50.19%, with March and May coming in second and third with 49.53% and 48.71%, respectively. On the opposite end of the scale, January has a pass rate of 46.7%.

The list of pass rates is as follows:

April – 50.19%

March – 49.53%

May – 48.71%

July – 48.34%

August – 48.11%

June – 48.01%

February – 47.4%

November – 47.05%

September – 47.1%

October – 46.9%

December – 46.79%

January – 46.7%

Which season is best for booking your driving test?

Due to March, April and May having the highest pass rates, spring is the best overall season for booking your driving test. Spring leads summer by slightly over 1%, while winter and autumn complete the order thanks to a score of 47.59% and 46.81%, respectively.

Here are the results for each season:

Spring – 49.17%

Summer – 48.01%

Winter – 47.59%

Autumn – 46.81%

Which day of the month is best for booking your driving test?

So, we have the best day of the week and month for booking our tests. At this point, we could easily call it a day and claim that any Monday in April would be the best for your driving test – but that’s not enough.

For the most significant statistical advantage, we wondered if there was any merit around which day of the month you should be looking to book your test. Spoiler alert, there is.

Across all the possible days of the month, the 24th has come out as being the most successful day for booking your test. The 24th has a pass rate of 49.53%, with the 1st following closely behind with a rate of 49.46%. It’s interesting to note that both these days sit on opposite sides of the month, with the remaining days floating around the 47-48% mark.

Driving Test: When is the best month to book your driving test?

So, which day should I book my driving test?

This information confirms that Monday, April 24th is the most statistically advantaged day for passing your driving test. Of course, this isn’t to say that booking your test for this day will guarantee a pass, but it could potentially tip the odds ever so slightly in your favour.

This day and date combination has already gone for 2023, with it not being seen again until 2028 or 2034.

You can find more driving information and guidance from findandfundmycar.com

Unleaded and Diesel Prices are Starting to Rise

Jun 21, 2023

There has been a noticeable shift in fuel prices in the past few months, particularly for unleaded petrol and diesel. After experiencing a downward trend since the beginning of the year, fuel prices have recently stabilised and even risen.

Diesel prices have witnessed a considerable decline, falling from 163 pence per litre (ppl) at the start of the year to 145ppl, indicating an 11% reduction. Surprisingly, larger supermarket chains were slow to adjust their prices, and the smaller brands initially led the decrease. However, Asda has once again emerged as the supermarket with the lowest fuel prices. Membership company Costco has the lowest average diesel price of any brand. Notably, both Asda and Costco exhibit greater consistency in their pricing across the country than other brands.

Shell and bp have been identified as having the highest average prices, excluding motorway service stations. It is important to recognise that pricing at certain bp and Shell forecourts may be determined by individual site owners rather than the brands themselves. Consequently, the price variation among their forecourts tends to be higher.

Unleaded Price Changes

Unleaded petrol prices have also experienced a decline throughout the year, at a more gradual pace than diesel. Starting from slightly over 149ppl at the beginning of the year, the current price is around 142ppl, representing a reduction of nearly 5%. The variation in prices among different brands and sites has been relatively consistent.

Similar to the diesel scenario, Asda remains the frontrunner among supermarkets in terms of offering the lowest prices for unleaded petrol. However, on average, Harvest Energy slightly undercuts Asda’s prices. Meanwhile, Costco continues to offer the best overall value for those holding a membership card.

Shell and bp have been identified as having the highest average prices, excluding motorway service stations. It is important to recognise that pricing at certain bp and Shell forecourts may be determined by individual site owners rather than the brands themselves. Consequently, the price variation among their forecourts tends to be higher.

The State of the Market

So, what does all this mean? The decrease in fuel prices has primarily been driven by a drop in crude oil prices and intensified competition among providers. However, the reduction at the pump did not align with the rapid decline in crude oil prices earlier in the year. Only 35% of the diesel pump price is directly related to the refined oil product, with 53% comprising VAT and excise duty, 3% attributable to renewables, and the remaining 9% divided between transport costs and retailer margins.

Prices cannot continue to decline indefinitely, and they appear to have stabilised both at the pump and in terms of crude oil prices in the short term. Currently, crude oil is trading at around $77 per barrel, having reached a low of $72 per barrel earlier this month. To put this into perspective, crude oil began the year at $86 per barrel, resulting in an overall decrease of 11%. These figures can provide an indication of the potential direction of pump prices in the future.

The reduction in price variation among brands and regions is positive news for drivers, as it promotes more consistent pricing across the board. Nonetheless, there are still opportunities for significant savings within short distances and across different brands. For instance, on average, Asda offers a 5ppl price advantage over bp, resulting in a savings of £3 on a single tank of fuel.

As fuel prices continue to change, it is essential for consumers to stay informed and consider their options to make the most cost-effective choices at the pump.

Motorway EV Charging is Falling Short

May 31, 2023

New research conducted by the RAC reveals that the government looks unlikely to meet its target of having six or more rapid or ultra-rapid electric vehicle chargers at every motorway service area in England by the end of 2023. Only 27 of 119 motorway services reviewed by the RAC currently have the target number of chargers. The RAC’s research found around 400 high-powered charging units at motorway services capable of charging 682 electric cars simultaneously.

When looking at the number of connectors these devices have, there is an average of nearly four of the most commonly used CCS (Combined Charging System) connectors and just under two CHadeMO connectors used predominantly by the Nissan Leaf.

Six motorway services in England don’t have any high-powered chargers. These are Leicester Forest on both sides of the M1, Tebay South on the M6, Carlisle Northbound on the M1, Strensham Southbound on the M5 and Barton Park on the A1(M).

The government’s “Taking Charge: the electric vehicle infrastructure strategy”, published in March 2022, set out an intention to accelerate the roll-out of high-powered chargers on the strategic road network through the £950m Rapid Charging Fund to give EV drivers confidence in the ability to undertake longer journeys. The document states, “We will ensure that every motorway service area has at least six rapid chargers by the end of 2023, with some having more than 12.” Currently, only six services in England have more than 12 such devices. These are Exeter on the M5, Rugby on the M6, Reading East and West on the M4, Thurrock on the M25 and Wetherby on the A1(M).

The government expects around 300,000 public chargers of all speeds as a minimum by 2030 and more than 6,000 high-powered chargers along strategic roads by 2035.

RAC EV spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Our findings show there is much work to be done before the end of the year if the government’s target of having six high-powered chargers at every motorway service area is to be met.

“Installing these types of units is not straightforward as connecting to the electricity grid is expensive and time-consuming, but clearly more needs to be done to make this process simpler than it is currently.”

“As a lack of charging facilities is rapidly becoming one of the most widely quoted reasons for drivers not going electric, all parties involved in making installations happen must work together to overcome this obstacle.

“With approaching 1m battery electric vehicles on the road and the Government having a goal of 80% of new cars sold by 2030 being zero-emission, it’s critical that the country’s charging network grows proportionately, particularly at the fastest end of the charging spectrum.”

1 in 10 Petrol Stations are selling Diesel at or below the price of Unleaded

May 24, 2023

Since 2003, diesel has consistently been priced higher than unleaded fuel on UK forecourts. However, a significant shift has occurred recently, as diesel prices have dropped below unleaded prices at an increasing number of locations.

In 2022, diesel prices peaked just below £2.00 per litre with a difference of over 13 pence per litre (ppl) compared to unleaded fuel. Both unleaded and diesel have dropped since July 2022; however, the difference between the two grades reached over 24ppl in November 2022. In March 2023, the wholesale diesel market experienced a notable decrease, while unleaded prices remained relatively stable, with a slight increase. Both have continued to drop through April, resulting in the wholesale diesel price falling below unleaded.

As these reductions in diesel prices gradually make their way to the pumps, our users have reported diesel being sold at or below unleaded prices at 1 in 10 petrol stations over the past week. Notably, leading supermarket chain Tesco has emerged as a key player in this price shift, with 15% of reported petrol stations offering diesel at or below unleaded prices. Sainsbury’s and Asda follow closely with 12% and 7% respectively, while Costco members enjoy both some of the lowest prices and with 32% of petrol stations offering diesel below unleaded.

In addition to the major retailers, several smaller brands and independent petrol stations are leading the way in reducing diesel prices. Brands such as GO, Solo, Scottish Fuel, Nicholl Fuels, Star, Total Energies, and Circle K boast over 33% of their sites selling diesel at or below unleaded prices.

However, it is worth noting that the availability of lower diesel prices varies significantly across different regions of the UK. For instance, in Greater London, only 4% of reported prices show diesel being sold at or below unleaded prices. In contrast, drivers in Northern Ireland can expect to see stations offer diesel at or below unleaded prices with 80% of reported petrol stations offer diesel at or below unleaded prices. Aberdeenshire and the Highland regions also demonstrate a high proportion of petrol stations with lower diesel prices, with only 43% of stations selling unleaded above diesel. Meanwhile, in Carmarthenshire, diesel users are likely to find prices equal to or below unleaded at 71% of stations. Unfortunately, in Devon and Cornwall, most stations (96%) have diesel prices above unleaded, leaving drivers paying more for their fuel.

Diesel and unleaded prices are charging quickly currently, and competition is helping to drive down prices and ensure that UK drivers are being charged a fair price for their fuel. If you see a price that has changed, please consider updating it on the PetrolPrices app to help other motorists save on their fuel costs.

New Trade Organisation for EV Charging

May 10, 2023

A new trade body for the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, ChargeUK, was launched in late April and revealed investment plans up to 2030. ChargeUK brings together 18 of the UK’s largest charge point operators (CPOs), which have announced they will invest more than £6 billion in installing and operating new EV charging infrastructure by 2030.

Ian Johnston, chair of ChargeUK and CEO of Osprey Charging Network, said, “We will continue to be a proactive partner to government as we deliver a world-class charging infrastructure, giving the nation’s drivers confidence to transition to electric vehicles.”

Transport decarbonisation and technology minister Jesse Norman said, “The launch of ChargeUK shows how industry working together, alongside the Government, can release private investment, improve delivery, raise standards and promote the use of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for drivers across the country.”

Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus EV, added: “Charging infrastructure is the key to the EV revolution, and it’s great to see government and industry come together to supercharge the rollout. The government has set the direction, and investors are pumping in much-needed capital. With over 23,000 public charging locations and rapid chargers almost doubling every year, UK drivers can enjoy the benefits of EVs: tech-on-wheels with low-cost fuel. The UK has a real chance to charge ahead in the race to zero emissions transport.”

The 18 founding members of ChargeUK are Be.EV, Believe, BP Pulse, Char.gy, ChargePoint, Connected Kerb, ESB, Equans, Evyve, Fastned, Gridserve, Ionity, Mer, Osprey, Pod Point, PoGo Charge, Shell Recharge and Raw Charging.

The new body will have to address the four areas the UK Government identified in its consultation on the consumer experience at public chargepoints as those that are crucial in encouraging people to switch to EVs:

Making it easier to pay, with a minimum standard for payment across all chargepoints.
Opening up chargepoint data to enable users to identify available chargers.
Using a single payment metric; standardising on pence-per-kilowatt hour (kWh)
Ensuring a reliable network

As the switch to EVs continues, it is clear that the availability and reliability of chargepoints is a crucial factor in how fast the movement away from fossil fuels will be. Hopefully, Charge UK members will address the concerns expressed in an RAC survey from October 2022, where 60% of those surveyed said they wouldn’t switch to EV because there weren’t enough public chargepoints, and 49% were waiting for the technology to improve.

Be Bank Holiday Ready with Start Rescue

May 3, 2023

Research the journey

Take the time to research your journey before setting off. Spending a few minutes using a service like Google Maps to plan your journey can help you map a route and get a rough estimate as to how long it would take to get to your destination on a normal day.

Of course, as we know, Bank Holiday traffic can often mean a longer journey time compared to what you would normally expect. Setting off as early as possible is a good idea, helping to reduce the amount of time you’ll spend in queues of traffic.

Keep in mind that the worst congestion is likely to be in the vicinity of airports, ports, coasts, national parks and the south-west of England – so if you’re planning on heading to any of these, add extra time to your journey and expect delays.

Checking local news is also a good idea, as this will let you know if there have been any accidents en route to your destination, allowing you the time needed to re-plan your journey.

Carry out our pre-journey vehicle checks

Check your tyres

Figures from National Highways report that 1 in 5 motorway breakdowns are caused by tyre problems, highlighting the importance of checking your tyre tread and pressure.

Ensure your tyres have at least 3mm of tread (the legal UK minimum).
Also check your tyres are pressured to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Underinflated or low-tread tyres make your vehicle harder to control and uses more fuel more quickly. They will also increase your stopping distance when braking.

Check your oil level

It’s always advisable to check your car’s oil level before heading off on any long journey.

Oil is essential to ensure your car’s engine works smoothly and effectively.

Its main function is to lubricate the engine’s internal moving parts, but it also helps cool the engine by evenly distributing heat.

Top up your screenwash

Bird droppings, bugs, or dirt from rain showers can all impair your vision when driving.

Ensure that your screenwash levels are topped up before setting off on any journey, to make sure you have a clear view of the road.

Water and coolant.

Your engine’s coolant level should be checked regularly to avoid causing serious damage to your engine.

Low levels of water and coolant can lead to your engine overheating, especially in the warmer months so it is always a good idea to check the levels ahead of making any long journeys.

Keeping costs down

When undertaking long journeys in the car, drivers are advised to take regular breaks from the road, which can prove costly if all these are taken in motorway service stations.

Fill up your fuel tank before you set off at a local garage to avoid inflated prices.

Taking packed lunches with you will avoid the need to buy food when you stop.

Keeping the family entertained

Long car journeys can see children become bored and agitated, which can make the driver stressed. Therefore, it’s an idea to pack plenty of toys and books to keep youngsters entertained.

Playing games in the car is always a great way to pass the time and keep the kids happy.

You should also encourage them to have a nap on the way, as this will help them to be well-rested by the time you get to your final destination.

Start Rescue’s guide to help you avoid traffic nightmares if you're planning to hit the road on Bank Holidays.

Ensure you have suitable breakdown cover

Whilst pre-journey vehicle checks can help lessen the likelihood of a breakdown, having suitable cover in place can help to ensure that help is on hand should it be required.

A Which? Recommended Provider for Breakdown Services for four years running, policies from Start Rescue are available from as little as £19.75 per year.

Rated excellent on Trustpilot, Start Rescue repair over 80% of vehicles at the roadside.

With unlimited callouts, misfuel cover and accident recovery included as standard, arranging breakdown cover with Start Rescue will provide you with peace of mind ahead of setting out on your Bank Holiday road trip.

For more information or to get a quote, visit www.startrescue.co.uk

Ford’s Hands-Free Self-Driving System Approved For Use in the UK

Apr 19, 2023

Drivers will be legally allowed to take their hands off the steering wheel on Britain’s motorways for the first time as long as they watch the road after the government approved another step on the path to self-driving cars.

Ford has released “hands-off, eyes-on” driver-assistance technology in the UK, with Department of Transport approval for use on select roads, with 2,300 miles of pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales, designated as “Blue Zones”.

The subscription technology, called Ford BlueCruise, will initially only be available for 2023 models of Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E SUV. According to Ford, the vehicle, which has a maximum speed of 80 mph, uses five radars to detect and track the position and speed of other vehicles on the road. Though the car can handle tasks like acceleration, braking, lane positioning, and steering independently, Ford requires the driver to be capable of taking control of the vehicle at any time and be fully aware of what’s going on for BlueCruise to function.

A forward-facing camera will detect lane markings and speed signs. At the same time, the car’s system uses an infrared driver-facing camera located below the instrument cluster to check the driver’s eye gaze and head pose to ensure their attention remains focused on the road. If the system detects that the driver is inattentive, warning messages will be displayed in the instrument cluster, followed by audio alerts and brake activations, before the vehicle finally slows down while maintaining steering control.

According to Ford, similar actions are performed if the driver fails to place their hands back on the steering wheel when prompted when leaving a Blue Zone.

Increasing the Number of Self-Drive Cars

BlueCruise represents what’s known as a Level 2 driver-assistance system and is broadly comparable to Tesla’s Autocar offerings. It has been available since 2021 in USA and Canada, and in that time, more than 190,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles have covered more than 60 million miles using the technology.

After a 90-day trial, BlueCruise will cost £17.99 per month. While self-driving technology might be considered an expensive and niche pursuit, UK government research predicts that by 2035, 40 per cent of new cars in the UK could have such capabilities. In August last year, the government said that a much wider rollout of self-driving vehicles could be expected as soon as 2025.

BlueCruise has two significant differences from Tesla Autopilot. First, the Ford system is designed to allow drivers to leave their hands off the steering wheel for long periods while driving on motorways that have been pre-mapped in detail. Second, BlueCruise uses an infrared camera inside the car to monitor the driver’s face and ensure they pay attention to the road ahead.

Jim Holder, the editorial director of Autocar, said the BlueCruise announcement was “another step on the road to autonomy, although the language Ford is using is a lot more cautious than Tesla’s”. He added: “It’s a good test of how much Britain’s drivers want this technology and are willing to pay for it. A lot of research shows people are pretty suspicious, and there’s a long journey to persuade people that they want it – and to pay a monthly fee to unlock benefits on top of the £50k they’ve already paid for a car.”

How Waves is cleaning up the hand car wash industry

Apr 12, 2023

From the outside, it may seem that cleaning cars is a simple business, but the Car Wash Association released a report showing the size of the industry with an estimated 110m hand car washes every year. The industry is highly fragmented and largely unregulated, tarnished by well-publicised variations in operating standards and high-profile investigations into modern slavery, labour exploitation and tax evasion.

So how can customers make a responsible choice for their provider?

We caught up with Abby Holdsworth, Franchise & Innovation Director at Waves, one of the UK’s largest and most respected providers of hand car wash. Waves operates from 275 high profile sites across the UK predominantly in supermarket car parks and for nearly a decade they have invested in bespoke software systems that have become key to managing the network.

Technology is changing our business in a number of ways, explains Abby.

Customer choice

Technology gives our customers choice in how they interact with us: they can use our App to find a car wash, pre-book, pay and collect loyalty points. On site the customer experience is simple: with check-in through our electronic booking in system, using ANPR technology to speed up the process and provide a seamless customer service. To minimise waiting times, we message our customers once their car is ready. On the move, the customer can download receipts, check loyalty points, explore the range of services, leave a review and more.

Financial transparency

Historically, hand car wash has been a notoriously non-compliant sector. At Waves we use technology to deliver a transparent and compliant model: electronic booking-in, integrated contactless payment technology and financial reporting improves the transparency of our business, providing reassurance to customers and landlords.

Ethical employment practices

Similarly, our employment practices are best-in-class thanks to our bespoke software systems. Real-time information about our network’s 2,000 employees allows us to track trends, monitor pay and conditions, ensure training levels are attained and ensure attendance is logged for every member of staff. Our technology gives particular reassurance to our Landlords (including Tesco, ASDA and Sainsbury’s) as well as an unparalleled labour insight into our network.

Business management

The data collected through the systems is collated to provide an end-to-end business management tool for our Franchise Partners who can track and compare trading levels, wash trends and customer purchasing patterns to manage their businesses more effectively. They can centrally manage fleet accounts, take pre-bookings and run personalised marketing campaigns tailored for their business needs. Technology gives our Franchise Partners flexibility to manage their businesses remotely, or on the ground.

Cleaning cars will always be our passion, but thanks to technology we offer more to our customers: knowledge that we run a cleaner business as well as improved consumer choice. Car washing has come a long way indeed.

Unleaded Prices Drop to Jan 2022 Level While Diesel Remains Higher

Mar 29, 2023

Unleaded prices have continued to fall during 2023, with the average reported price falling below 145ppl for the first time since January 2022. Unleaded prices peaked in the summer of 2022, hitting 190ppl, but have dropped back 24% since July 2022.

Diesel users are not seeing the same reduction at the pumps as prices remain over 161ppl, up from 149ppl in January 2022. Diesel has only dropped by around 15% since the July 2022 peak. As a result, diesel users are paying more than 17ppl more than petrol; this compares to just 4-5ppl a little over a year ago.

However, this difference is reducing. Since the start of 2023, unleaded prices have dropped by 5ppl while diesel prices have dropped back in the region of 10ppl. Reductions in unleaded, diesel and other energy sources have started to help steady the inflation rate.

As well as seeing a reduction in prices, the range of prices is also narrowing. Fuel prices can vary significantly between petrol stations. This variation is especially true when there are significant changes in wholesale prices. As wholesale prices have become more stable, we have seen a reduction in price variations across unleaded and diesel. There has been a 4ppl reduction in this spread since the start of the year. However, shopping around for the best prices can still bring significant savings.

Two major reasons we are seeing this increase in diesel prices compared to unleaded are how we source diesel and unleaded and how diesel demand has grown.

The latest refining figures from gov.uk show the UK refineries produced over 4.1 million tonnes of unleaded in the third quarter of 2022, but the demand was only 2.8 million tonnes, meaning that the UK is a net exporter of unleaded. In comparison, the UK only produced 3.2 million tonnes of diesel but had a demand of 5.7 million tonnes, so it needed to import the shortfall. This can put pressure on the diesel supply chain and result in higher costs. The UK has also shifted away from Russian imports in favour of imports from the Netherlands, Belgium and Kuwait.

In addition, diesel demand increased by 5.2% compared to the third quarter of 2021, while unleaded fell by 3.9%.

Other factors that can influence the prices are refinery and forecourt margins. These continuously change depending on market conditions. Using the PetrolPrices mobile app and website remains the best tool to compare UK fuel prices and help drive competition between fuel retailers.

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