Motorists could spend £395 more on fuel in 2023 compared with last year – as fuel prices remain a concern for road users, new research has found.
In January 2023, drivers reported spending £8.59 more when visiting the petrol station compared to the same time period one year earlier – a 21% increase in the amount being spent at the pump. With the average car needing to visit the petrol station every eight days, Motorpoint predicts that motorists will spend more than £2,200 on fuel in 2023 – forking out £188.41 on average every month.
To understand how the price of fuel is affecting drivers, Motorpoint surveyed 2,083 UK car owners and found that 75% reported it was more expensive to put fuel in their car now than it was in January 2022. Some 58% of drivers admitted that they were concerned about the price of fuel, with 50% feeling they were being charged too much when filling up their car.
Discussing the findings and what car owners can do to help manage the cost of filling up, Tim Rodie, driving expert at Motorpoint said: “Over the last couple of years soaring fuel costs have placed huge pressure on motorists. With drivers likely to spend over £2,200 on fuel this year, it’s unsurprising that many people are still worried about the cost of filling up their car.
“At Motorpoint, we’ve seen fuel efficiency become an increasingly important consideration for people when looking to buy a newly used car. Lots of customers we speak to want something that is efficient to run to help reduce their monthly outgoings.
“Although opting for a fuel-efficient vehicle is the easiest way to make big savings when it comes to how much you spend on fuel, this isn’t a possibility for everyone. No matter the car you drive, there are small changes you can make to your driving habits that can help with fuel economy, allowing you to go further between fill ups.”
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When it came to fuel-efficient driving habits, Motorpoint found that 76% of drivers could be doing more to reduce their fuel consumption – meaning many drivers might be able to reduce how much they are spending on fuel. To help avoid overspending on petrol or diesel, Tim recommends:
Emptying the boot
“It can be really temping to leave things in your boot to save you making multiple trips to the car, but this won’t be doing your bank balance any favours. Ultimately, the lighter your car is, the less fuel you’ll need to drive it.
“The same goes for bike racks and roof boxes you aren’t using. They might be a pain to remove but increased drag and extra weight means your car must work harder to get you where you need to go.”
Reconsidering temperature
“Running the air-conditioning system can really be a drain on your fuel. Unless you absolutely need it, I would suggest trying to do without.
“The same does for driving with the windows down. While it can be nice to get some fresh air in your car, open windows make your car less aerodynamic, meaning your car needs to work harder and will use more fuel.
“Sometimes, you need to be able to warm up or cool down your car to make your trips more comfortable. As a general rule, opening your windows is best when driving around at lower speeds and air-conditioning is more efficient if you’re on the motorway.”
Driving like you’re taking your test
“Over time, we all pick up bad habits, but driving like you did when you took your test can really help with fuel efficiency. Sticking to the speed limit, anticipating what is going to happen on the road in front of you and easing into the accelerator are all really easy ways to help you preserve fuel.”
Keeping on top of car maintenance
“Keeping on top of your service schedule and regularly checking your tyres aren’t only important for your safety but help make sure that your vehicle is as efficient as possible. Normal wear and tear can have a real impact on fuel consumption, so it’s definitely worth checking that your tyres are properly inflated at least once a month and getting your service booked in as soon as it’s due.”
For more advice on fuel efficient driving and to see how the cost of fuel has affected drivers visit: https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/press/uk-motorists-will-see-nearly-400-added-to-fuel-bills-new-report-finds
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