Article: published on 29 January 2026
Fuel price postcode lottery. How to pay less at the pumps
Consumer champion, Rebecca Wilcox
- Published
Many drivers say fuel costs continue to feel hard to predict, with prices jumping from one forecourt to the next. With household budgets already under pressure, the cost of filling up is becoming a real source of frustration, especially when prices do not seem to fall in line with wholesale costs.
Consumer journalist Rebecca Wilcox joined BBC Morning Live to look at what practical steps you can take to cut costs, whether you drive petrol, diesel or electric.
Why fuel prices vary so much
Drivers often notice they can fill up in one area and then see a noticeably cheaper or more expensive price just a short drive away. That unpredictability is why fuel prices are often described as a postcode lottery.
Rebecca says:
"The key reason is how pricing works. There is no single UK price for petrol or diesel. Each forecourt sets its own prices based on local conditions rather than a national benchmark. Competition plays a big role. Stations near supermarkets or clustered together in busy areas face pressure to keep prices low. Forecourts with fewer nearby rivals, or those in convenient locations, have more freedom to hold prices higher."
Industry bodies and motoring organisations have criticised retailers for not passing on wholesale price reductions quickly enough, arguing drivers are missing out on savings that should already be showing at the pump.
The best ways to save money on fuel
The single biggest saving comes from checking prices before you fill up. Spending a few minutes on a comparison tool can cut costs immediately without changing how often you drive.
Websites and apps such as PetrolPrices.com, Fuelio and the RAC allow you to search by postcode and compare nearby forecourts using live data and user updates. That gives a much clearer picture than sticking with the same station out of habit.
Driving style also matters. On motorways, driving at around 70mph instead of 60mph can use up to 18% more fuel over the same distance. Easing back slightly on longer journeys can reduce fuel use without adding much extra time.
Keeping speed steady, avoiding harsh acceleration and braking, and using cruise control where appropriate all help to save on fuel
Other ways to save fuel
1) Keep your car in good shape
A well-maintained car uses less fuel. Regular servicing helps your engine run efficiently and catches issues early. Tyres matter most day to day. Check pressures often and set them correctly for your load, especially before long journeys. Incorrect pressures increase resistance and burn more fuel.
2) Reduce drag and carry less weight
Anything sticking out into the airflow costs fuel. Roof bars, roof boxes, flags, and even open windows increase drag, especially at higher speeds. Tests show an empty roof rack can add around 16% drag at motorway speeds, with roof boxes far worse.
Extra weight means extra fuel. Clear out the boot and avoid carrying items you don't need. The savings are small but consistent.
3) Speed and acceleration matter
The faster you drive and the harder you accelerate, the more fuel you use. Speed limits are not targets. Sitting below them often saves fuel, especially on narrow or busy roads where constant braking cancels out any progress. Most cars run most efficiently somewhere around 45 to 50mph, but conditions decide what works in practice.
4) Look ahead and keep momentum
Smooth driving saves fuel. Anticipate traffic lights, bends, and slow-moving vehicles so you can ease off early rather than brake hard and accelerate again. Stay in gear when slowing down so fuel cut-off can do its job. Before hills, build a little momentum and let speed drop slightly on the climb rather than pushing harder.
5) Use the highest sensible gear
Get up through the gears smoothly and reach your cruising speed without crawling up to it. Once there, stay in the highest gear your car can handle comfortably. High revs waste fuel, but so does letting the engine struggle. In towns this matters less because you rarely hold a steady speed for long.
6) Cruise control has limits
Cruise control helps on flat motorways where speed stays constant. On rolling roads it often uses more fuel because the system reacts late to hills and keeps the power on longer than a human driver would. Motorways still tend to deliver the best economy overall because you can cruise steadily in top gear.
7) Be smart with heating and air con
Air conditioning and cabin heating both draw power from the engine. Use them only when needed, particularly in older cars. Dressing for the weather can save fuel over time.
Are electric vehicle charging costs just as inconsistent?
For many drivers, charging an electric vehicle can feel even more unpredictable. The cost depends almost entirely on where and when you charge.
Home charging is usually the cheapest option, especially overnight on off-peak tariffs or with a dedicated EV tariff. On some overnight deals, charging a smaller electric car could cost as little as £2.70 for a full charge.
Public charging prices vary widely. Chargers at supermarkets, retail parks, workplaces, residential streets, city centres and motorway service stations all set their own rates. Charging the same car at a rapid motorway charger could cost around £28.
This means two drivers covering the same distance can end up paying very different amounts. The lack of consistent pricing can make budgeting harder, particularly for people without access to home charging.
Planning ahead helps. Apps such as Zapmap, PlugShare and Chargeprice show nearby chargers, availability and often the price before you arrive. Using cheaper local chargers where possible and avoiding motorway charging unless you need it gives you far more control over running costs.
Fuel stations are private businesses and can choose what fuels they sell. There is no Government instruction forcing them to stop selling diesel, and diesel cars will still be allowed on the roads well beyond 2030.
Should diesel drivers worry about stations dropping diesel by 2030?
Recent headlines suggesting some petrol stations could stop selling diesel by 2030 have caused concern. In the short term, there is no need to worry.
This is not a ban on diesel fuel or diesel cars. It reflects changing demand, particularly in large cities where diesel use has been falling for years. Some forecourts are reviewing whether it makes commercial sense to keep diesel pumps if fewer customers are using them.
Fuel stations are private businesses and can choose what fuels they sell. There is no Government instruction forcing them to stop selling diesel, and diesel cars will still be allowed on the roads well beyond 2030.
The longer-term issue is convenience rather than legality. In some areas, fewer diesel pumps could mean fewer places to fill up, which might push prices up locally. For most drivers, this is likely to be a gradual change rather than something that needs immediate action.