Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
I’M A CAR EXPERT: Here’s how to save money on your fuel
Moneymagpie Team
6th May 2026
With petrol prices surging to their highest since 2022, British drivers face a painful squeeze at the pumps – but one motoring industry leader says there are simple, practical steps to bring down your fuel bill.
There’s no escaping the fact that fuel costs have spiked sharply in 2026. After a period of relative stability through late last year – when petrol averaged around 135p per litre – prices have climbed to around 158p per litre for petrol and over 192p per litre for diesel following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Filling a typical family diesel car now costs well over £100.
The cause is the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz – the vital sea passage through which roughly 20 million barrels of oil flow daily. With around 10% of global oil production affected, Brent crude surged from $61 a barrel at the start of the year to temporary peaks above $100, and UK drivers have felt the impact almost immediately at the forecourt.
With fuel duty also set to rise in September, December and again in March 2027, the pressure on household budgets shows little sign of easing soon.
Mark Trimbee, CEO of private number plate specialists Regtransfers, says the current climate is a wake-up call for drivers who have, until now, been less selective about how and where they fill up.
“We’ve been through fuel shocks before, but it’s not the sort of thing people tend to remember,” he says. “When prices spike like this, everyone starts to think of ways to stretch a tank further. The good news is that there are genuinely effective ways to cut what you spend, and most of them don’t cost a penny.”
One of the most useful developments came into force recently, in February 2026. The government launched its Fuel Finder scheme, requiring all fuel retailers to submit their pump prices to a central open-data system within 30 minutes of any change.
The move followed findings by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that weak price transparency was costing drivers money, with prices varying by as much as 20p per litre between nearby forecourts.
Apps including PetrolPrices, the RAC’s myRAC app and the AA app now use this near-real-time data, meaning drivers can check exactly what fuel costs at every local forecourt before they leave home.
The CMA estimates that a typical family car driver could save up to £4.50 per tank by choosing a lower-priced site within a five-minute detour, adding up to more than £230 a year for those who fill up weekly.
“There’s really no excuse for not using one of these apps now,” says Trimbee. “The data is live, it’s accurate and free. You wouldn’t walk into a shop and pay £20 for something you know is £15 next door, but that’s what a lot of drivers are still doing at the pumps.”
Supermarket forecourts consistently offer some of the lowest prices, with supermarket fuel running around 4.6p per litre cheaper than premium branded stations on average. Motorway service stations, meanwhile, remain the most expensive option, often charging significantly more per litre than comparable forecourts just a short distance from the motorway.
For those already using supermarket forecourts, loyalty schemes offer an additional layer of savings. Tesco Clubcard holders earn points for every two litres of fuel, redeemable against shopping or future fuel. Sainsbury’s Nectar points can be collected at Sainsbury’s and participating Esso sites. Morrisons More cardholders earn points per litre, with 5,000 points converting to a £5 voucher.
“The real trick is to layer these things,” says Trimbee. “Find the cheapest forecourt near you using an app, then scan your loyalty card. Neither saving alone is life-changing, but combined, over a full year of driving, they can make a fair difference.”
No app or loyalty card, however, comes close to the potential savings available through smarter driving. “Hypermiling” might sound technical, but its core principles are straightforward.
Speed is the single biggest variable. The faster a car travels, the more drag and resistance the engine has to overcome. Reducing motorway speed by just 5–10mph can improve fuel economy by 7–14%. Beyond aerodynamics, control over acceleration and braking is a key factor in fuel use.
“Smooth driving is efficient,” says Trimbee. “If you’re constantly accelerating hard and braking late, you’re burning through fuel unnecessarily. Drivers getting the best economy are the ones who read the road ahead and respond in good time.”
Modern engines use virtually no fuel when coasting in gear, making early anticipation one of the most effective tools available. The AA also recommends shifting up through the gears around 1,000 RPM earlier than typical – keeping revs lower reduces fuel burn meaningfully over longer journeys.
Idling is another area where small habits cost real money. Leaving an engine running while stationary can consume up to half a gallon of fuel per hour – enough to drive approximately 25 miles. Where a car is fitted with a stop-start system, Trimbee says the temptation to disable it should be resisted.
“A lot of drivers turn stop-start off because they find it annoying, but it exists precisely to save fuel in situations like traffic jams and at level crossings.”
Air conditioning is also worth considering. In some conditions it can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 10%. At lower speeds and on shorter journeys, opening a window tends to be more economical. At motorway speeds, however, the aerodynamic drag of open windows means air-con may actually be the better option.
Tyre pressure is one of the most commonly neglected contributors to poor fuel economy. Both the AA and RAC consistently highlight that under-inflated tyres force the engine to work hard. Remedying this takes just two minutes with a pressure gauge.
Removing unnecessary weight and drag also helps. Roof racks, roof boxes and bike carriers all increase aerodynamic resistance even when empty, and heavy items left permanently in the boot add to the load the engine carries on every journey.
“People don’t tend to think of their car as something they can tune for efficiency without spending money,” says Trimbee. “But checking tyre pressures, removing an unused roof rack, planning journeys ahead of time – these small considerations can compound to a fair saving on fuel costs.”
With fuel duty increases confirmed for later this year, and the situation in the Middle East remaining uncertain, Trimbee believes the current spike is a reminder that fuel costs should be treated as something drivers can actively manage, rather than just accepting the price hikes.
“The people paying the least at the pumps aren’t necessarily driving the most efficient cars. They’re using the tools available, driving smarter and taking time to consider their vehicle use. It’s a tough time for household budgets, but a few small changes in habit could ease at least some of the pressure.”
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