Petrol prices hit 20 year high

With petrol prices currently at a 20 year high of 109.8p per litre, British motorists are currently forking out more than £61 each on average to fill up their tanks. This is a 25% (£12.27) increase since 2007 when a full tank cost £49.22 (87.9p per litre). However, new analysis by uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, reveals that things could be about to get far worse with the cost of filling up predicted to hit an all time high of £1.50 per litre in 2009. This is a further 37% increase in petrol prices.

uSwitch.com analysis reveals that motorists could then expect to pay £84 each time they need to fill up - £2,637 a year. This represents an annual increase of £706.61 for each motorist and is equivalent to 14% of the average 2009 predicted net salary of £19,167.98 (£25,189.84 gross).

The predicted hike will fuel more misery for consumers who have already seen essential bills rise £1,783 this year. The biggest rises alongside petrol are energy bills (up 13% or £1,114), food (up 11% or £324) and mortgages (up 9% or £1,020).

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com comments: "Unfortunately the outlook for drivers is bleak, this latest blow could be enough to force some drivers off the road altogether. Cash-strapped consumers are juggling price increases across all fronts. Petrol prices are predicted to increase a further 37% by next year but have already rocketed by 216% since 1988 when fuel was just 34.7p per litre.

"As a direct result of these price hikes, it would be no surprise to see more motorists leaving their car at home and using other methods of transport. However, drivers who are reliant on their cars for business or live in remote areas will be hardest hit - for them, leaving the car at home is not an option."

Owners of luxury vehicles like the Mercedes C Class or equivalent will be worse off, forking out an extra £24 on each visit to the pump in 2009 - an extra £1,123 over the year. Even drivers of smaller cars will feel the impact. Ford Fiesta drivers will have to pay an additional £480 in 2009 to fill their car - £18 extra with each trip the garage.

Robinson concludes: "A vehicle's fuel efficiency should be high on a motorist's agenda when buying a new car to avoid an expensive shock when visiting the petrol station. Drivers might also consider switching to a ‘green' vehicle, which, as well as giving them peace of mind that they are doing their bit for the environment, could save them up to £165 per year on fuel bills."

TopTips for fuel efficiency

Useyour gears wisely- driving in thehighest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way ofdriving. A vehicle travelling at 37mph in third gear uses 25% more fuel than atthe same speed in fifth gear

Drivesmoothly- think ahead! Byapplying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you can reduce both fuelconsumption and wear and tear. Try to predict traffic at junctionsand whenqueuing avoid accelerating and then braking. Research suggests drivingtechniques can influence car fuel efficiency by as much as30%.

Lightenyour load- think carefullyabout what you need on a journey. If you do not need something, do not pack it.Remove roof racks if not needed. The lighter the load, the lower the fuelconsumption and emissions - and the higher the fuelefficiency.

Checkyour tyre pressure- it is estimatedthat about 50% of tyres on the road are under inflated. Aside from increasingthe rate of wear, this wastes fuel and decreases your fuelefficiency

Leavethe car at home- probably thebest way to decrease the amount of petrol you burn, is to leave the car at home,and take a bike, bus, train, or to walk. A quarter of all car journeys inBritain are less than two miles long, and walking or cycling are cheap, cleanalternatives, and healthy too!

Investin a new fuel efficient car- newcars come in all shapes and sizes, and it's possible to pick a new car that cangreatly reduce your fuel bill, and your fuelemissions.