Fuel prices: Average car costs £100 to fill up for the first time ever
Petrol and diesel prices are still on the up. But cinch is on hand with advice on how to minimise your spend
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The average cost of filling up a typical family car with petrol is now over £100 for the first time ever, as fuel prices continue to rise rapidly. We’ve all been wincing at prices in recent months, but the most recent spike has been called a “truly dark day” for UK motorists by the RAC. We'd agree. Especially when you crunch the numbers...
As things stand (9 June), the average price for a litre of petrol has reached a new record of 182.3p, while diesel is now at an average of 188.3p a litre. Meaning it would set you back £100.27 to fill up a 55-litre family car with petrol. Ouch. Times a million. And prices are expected to get even higher in the coming weeks, making fuel-guzzling models painfully expensive to run. No wonder sales of electric cars and hybrids are skyrocketing in these times.
If you're not ready to switch to a more efficient motor yet, we at cinch can still potentially help. There are ways to save a few pence on fuel here and there - and the best way to do that is to be more efficient when you're behind the wheel. Below, we've some helpful driving tips.
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How to save fuel in your car
There are easy steps such as being gentle with the accelerator and driving in the highest gear possible. The aim is to go up through the gears as quickly as possible while using the lowest revs. To put it simply... the higher the rev count, the more fuel you’re using.
Another straightforward trick is to remove unnecessary weight from your car, whether that is clutter in your boot or an unused roof rack. Did you know that for every 45kg of excess weight in a car, fuel consumption increases by a further 2%?
Lastly, it may seem counterintuitive to be spending a little more money in these times – but getting your car serviced can make a real difference. Research suggests that fuel consumption can increase by as much as 10%. Even something like a blocked air filter from an overdue service can have an effect. Also, under-inflated tyres can result in an increase in fuel consumption by 2%... Every little helps, so remember to keep an eye on your tyres!
Of course, if you’re looking to fully escape the current fuel crisis, you could turn to electric or proper hybrid cars. With hybrids, you get the best of both worlds, with an electric motor to reduce fuel consumption - or even negate the use of the engine during urban stints. Or you can go the whole hog and opt for a fully electric car, ending your reliance on fuel entirely. It's an effective move; a new study by green motoring consultancy New AutoMotive found that EVs are 80% cheaper to run than petrol cars.
Handily, cinch has hundreds of electric and hybrid vehicles available for you to buy today - check out our online showroom here, where you'll find the biggest range of cars to buy entirely online.
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