Rich PillockDiesel hits £2 a litre: what it means for your wallet
For the first time ever, the average price of diesel in the UK has gone over £2 a litre, according to the RAC. If you drive a diesel, a typical 55-litre fill-up now costs more than £110.
I've responded the only sensible way. I now drive everywhere in neutral. Downhill, mainly.
Why it matters even if you don't drive
Most of what you buy arrives on a lorry, and lorries run on diesel. When diesel goes up, delivery costs go up, and some of that ends up on the price of the weekly shop.
Advert
The serious bit: paying less at the pump
- Check before you fill up. Prices can differ a lot between forecourts in the same town. A fuel price comparison app or website shows you where's cheapest nearby.
- Supermarket forecourts are often, but not always, cheaper than motorway services. Motorway services are usually the most expensive place to buy fuel.
- Drive smoother. Gentle acceleration and keeping to the speed limit use less fuel. Take the roof box off when you're not using it.
- Tyres. Under-inflated tyres use more fuel. Check them against the pressure in your car's handbook.
Ric's verdict: I can't fix the price of oil. I can tell you the cheapest diesel in your town is probably not on the motorway, and that neutral doesn't count as a strategy.