Menu
07/01/2010
Shopping Around For Fuel 'Pointless'
Driving to different forecourts for the cheapest fuel could be a waste of time, an exclusive Auto Express investigation has revealed.
It tested six top-selling UK fuel brands - two from producers Shell and BP plus four from supermarket giants Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco – and discovered that, despite significant variations in price, there were only tiny performance differences between the biggest sellers.
The investigation, which was carried out over two days and hundreds of miles of test track, with the help of tuning and race engineers at Thorney Motorsport, compared fuel economy to cost, to give a pence-per-mile rating.
The results revealed there was little to choose between the six high street brands tested – so traveling miles to shop around could be pointless.
Shell led the pack, supplying the only fuel on the day to get more than 22mpg out of a Vauxhall Astra test car.
But its margin of victory was tiny, with second and third placed Tesco and Sainsbury’s less than 2% behind.
Morrisons was the third supermarket in the top four, again just a few tenths of a mile per gallon behind its closest rival.
When price was factored in, the gap between our six brands was even smaller. Using the latest AA average pump prices at the time of our investigation (September 2009), the 95 octane fuels sampled from the top four performers in our test were separated by just hundredths of a penny over a mile.
Most suppliers also use the same depots to source their fuel.
Morrisons said its unleaded was not exclusive to the chain and was bought from depots near to its 291 stores.
Asda confirmed it used the same supplies as other chains, while BP told us it only sells its own fuels, but it did not have exclusive use of the refineries.
Auto Express News and Features Editor Julie Sinclair said: "It’s easy for cash-strapped motorists to be swayed by headline grabbing pence-per-litre prices.
"But our investigation clearly shows that time spent shopping around for these fuel pumps could simply be a false economy."
AA president Edmund King added: "There is often sniping at the quality of supermarket fuel compared to that from non-supermarket retailers, even though fuel for both has to meet the same British Standard.
"Whoever tries to rubbish supermarket fuel should take a look at this and try to explain the inconsistencies, or carry out open and scientifically-sound bench tests to prove their point."
(PR/BMcC)
It tested six top-selling UK fuel brands - two from producers Shell and BP plus four from supermarket giants Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco – and discovered that, despite significant variations in price, there were only tiny performance differences between the biggest sellers.
The investigation, which was carried out over two days and hundreds of miles of test track, with the help of tuning and race engineers at Thorney Motorsport, compared fuel economy to cost, to give a pence-per-mile rating.
The results revealed there was little to choose between the six high street brands tested – so traveling miles to shop around could be pointless.
Shell led the pack, supplying the only fuel on the day to get more than 22mpg out of a Vauxhall Astra test car.
But its margin of victory was tiny, with second and third placed Tesco and Sainsbury’s less than 2% behind.
Morrisons was the third supermarket in the top four, again just a few tenths of a mile per gallon behind its closest rival.
When price was factored in, the gap between our six brands was even smaller. Using the latest AA average pump prices at the time of our investigation (September 2009), the 95 octane fuels sampled from the top four performers in our test were separated by just hundredths of a penny over a mile.
Most suppliers also use the same depots to source their fuel.
Morrisons said its unleaded was not exclusive to the chain and was bought from depots near to its 291 stores.
Asda confirmed it used the same supplies as other chains, while BP told us it only sells its own fuels, but it did not have exclusive use of the refineries.
Auto Express News and Features Editor Julie Sinclair said: "It’s easy for cash-strapped motorists to be swayed by headline grabbing pence-per-litre prices.
"But our investigation clearly shows that time spent shopping around for these fuel pumps could simply be a false economy."
AA president Edmund King added: "There is often sniping at the quality of supermarket fuel compared to that from non-supermarket retailers, even though fuel for both has to meet the same British Standard.
"Whoever tries to rubbish supermarket fuel should take a look at this and try to explain the inconsistencies, or carry out open and scientifically-sound bench tests to prove their point."
(PR/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 June 2005
British Airways announces ticket price rises
British Airways (BA) has announced an increase in fuel surcharge on ticket prices, due to increasing oil price rises. The longhaul fuel surcharge will increase to £48 per return trip, while the surcharge for shorthaul flights will rise to £16 for a return trip, for all tickets purchased from June 27.
British Airways announces ticket price rises
British Airways (BA) has announced an increase in fuel surcharge on ticket prices, due to increasing oil price rises. The longhaul fuel surcharge will increase to £48 per return trip, while the surcharge for shorthaul flights will rise to £16 for a return trip, for all tickets purchased from June 27.
12 November 2012
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
19 March 2008
Countdown For Fuel Payments For Pensioners
Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
Countdown For Fuel Payments For Pensioners
Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
07 September 2005
Fuel protests threatened
Protestors have threatened to begin blockading refineries next week, if the tax on fuel is not reduced. Andrew Spence, a spokesperson for the Fuel Lobby, warned that the blockades would begin at 6am on September 14, unless price cuts were made.
Fuel protests threatened
Protestors have threatened to begin blockading refineries next week, if the tax on fuel is not reduced. Andrew Spence, a spokesperson for the Fuel Lobby, warned that the blockades would begin at 6am on September 14, unless price cuts were made.
24 April 2008
Report Shows Government Is Failing Pensioners In Fuel Poverty
The Government is failing pensioners and poor families in fuel poverty, according to a coalition of Age Concern, Child Poverty Action Group, and National Energy Action.
Report Shows Government Is Failing Pensioners In Fuel Poverty
The Government is failing pensioners and poor families in fuel poverty, according to a coalition of Age Concern, Child Poverty Action Group, and National Energy Action.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
