Cars could be banned from the roads in major cities on Sundays as part of new proposals to limit the UK's reliance on Russian oil while the invasion of Ukraine continues.
The recommendation is one of 10 put forward by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as fuel prices continue to rocket across the country, despite wholesale prices falling for more than 10 days.
Other measures in the plan include: cutting the motorway speed limit to 64mph, asking people to work from home for three days a week and banning cars on Sundays. The measures, if put in place worldwide, outlined , could cut global oil demand by 2.7million barrels per day within four months, reports the Mirror.
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The IEA said its proposals are 'practical actions' that could significantly reduce oil demand and tackle soaring fuel prices across Europe.
IEA's proposed 10-point plan to combat rising oil prices:
- Reduce speed limits on highways by at least 10 km/h (6mph)
- Work from home up to three days a week where possible
- Car-free Sundays in cities
- Make use of public transport cheaper and incentivise micromobility, walking and cycling
- Alternate private car access to roads in large cities
- Increase car sharing and adopt practices to reduce fuel use
- Promote efficient driving for freight trucks and delivery of goods
- Using high-speed and night trains instead of planes where possible
- Avoid business air travel where alternative options exist
- Reinforce the adoption of electric and more efficient vehicles
The scale of the daily reduction in oil use would be the equivalent of not having to fuel all the cars currently used in China - the introduction of car-free Sundays in major cities alone would cut oil demand by up to 380,000 barrels per day.
IEA executive director Fatih Birol said: "As a result of Russia’s appalling aggression against Ukraine, the world may well be facing its biggest oil supply shock in decades, with huge implications for our economies and societies. IEA Member Countries have already stepped in to support the global economy with an initial release of millions of barrels of emergency oil stocks, but we can also take action on demand to avoid the risk of a crippling oil crunch."
Ms Birol also said the 10-measure plan has already been tested and proven in multiple countries. Currently, a driver filling an average petrol car with 55 litres of fuel is paying over £47 in tax alone, with VAT paid on top of fuel duty at 57.95p a litre.
RAC fuel spokesman, Simon Williams, said: "The window for pump prices to come down appears to be have been well and truly closed, with both oil prices and therefore wholesale fuel costs once again rising after last week’s big drop, putting yet more pressure on households and businesses.In just the last week, the average cost of a litre of petrol has gone up 3.5p and diesel by a staggering 5.5p.
"Filling up a 55-litre family car now costs £91.86 for petrol and £98.43 for diesel. Drivers faced with spiralling costs when they fill up will undoubtedly be looking to the Chancellor to act in Wednesday’s Spring Statement, so suggestions fuel duty may be cut from its current level of 57.95p in every litre of fuel sold will be widely welcomed.
"While there has been talk of a 5p cut in fuel duty, this may not be deep enough to make a real difference to drivers who are facing the highest ever costs to fill their tanks. However, ensuring all drivers fairly and fully benefit from the fuel duty cut depends entirely on retailers reducing their prices and not using it as an opportunity to take a greater profit on every litre they sell. On the other hand, reducing VAT, which is a tax on a tax, prevents this from happening and would guarantee drivers benefit fully."
