There are tough times ahead for drivers, but ​Martyn James has some tips to keep your costs down

Have you had a panic at the pumps recently when filling your tank? You are not alone.

I’m sorry to confirm the cost of diesel has hit an all-time high according to the RAC: just under two quid per litre – which is enough to cause anyone to take a sharp intake of breath. At the time of writing, the RAC reported average prices of £1.75 for unleaded and a whopping £2.18 for premium.

That means there are tough times ahead for motorists. So let’s look at the options.

There are now free petrol and diesel comparison apps that use (almost) real time data to tell you where the best deals are near you (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

When will this madness end?

Sadly, not for the immediate future, so for the next few months at the very least, we are going to have to adapt.

As readers will be aware, roughly one fifth of the world’s oil and seaborne gas goes through the Strait of Hormuz – right through the most contested area of the current conflict. That means fuel costs are likely to go up even if the current situation is unexpectedly resolved.

Meanwhile, the US is threatening to ban diesel exports, which would undoubtedly have consequences, given that a third of diesel imports come from America.

How do I find the cheapest fuel?

Back in February, the government launched the ‘fuel finder’ service. This means there are now free petrol and diesel comparison apps that use (almost) real time data to tell you where the best deals are near you. Just type in ‘cheapest fuel near me’ or ‘average fuel price’ into a search engine and have a look at the comparison sites.

As a general rule, supermarkets tend to have the cheapest deals while motorway service stations have the worst. Make your savings go further by becoming a ‘loyalty tart’, by signing up to every supermarket and fuel scheme that there are so you can get points and discounts.

Car pooling

Car pools never really took off in the UK like they did in America, but if money is tight, you might want to team up with your friends and neighbours to agree sharing the load with everything from the school run to the daily commute.

There are also loads of car-pooling apps and websites you can join. These work by matching you with other people who regularly travel on similar routes as you. You can take turns driving or opt to be the driver/driven with the passengers using the app to split the petrol costs. Remember though, safety first. Check how the sites vet people before you commit.

Cutting back

Make yourself a car planner, in the same way that you’d make a basic budget. Set aside 20 minutes to write down what you use the car for, then look at what you can cut out. You may find a supermarket delivery is a cheaper option that doing a weekly shop. And can you swap some simple journeys for a walk or a bike ride instead?

Making the most of workplace schemes

If you are on a weekly salary, then check with your HR team to see if they have any schemes that can help you save cash. Some offer discounts through ‘salary sacrifice’ for vehicles, especially electric ones. Others are part of the ‘cycle to work’ scheme. You can also get major discounts on train or travel passes – and these can also reduce your tax liability too.

Alternatively, you can see if your employer will let you work from home for a few days a week. Make sure you emphasise this is only while prices are high – they’re more likely to say yes to temporary agreements.

Going electric

If you need a car or van for work, then it’s time to consider trading in your vehicle and going electric. Car finances deals can be complicated, but they only last a few years, giving you a bit of flexibility if you aren’t ready to fully commit. Ask your energy company to find out about the best tariffs for charging your vehicle overnight.

Remember that this crisis will pass at some point – so it’s all about getting through the next few months.

Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio presenter and journalist. Read more from him here