Fuel prices in the North West accelerate in one year

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Texaco Petrol Station on Whitworth Road in April 2017

Motorists in the North West are bearing the brunt of sky-high fuel prices having seen the cost of petrol accelerate over the past 12 months.

According to new data from an online price comparison site, petrol prices in the region increased by an eye-watering 12.1p (+10%) and diesel 15.7p (+13%) in just one year.

This means the average price of petrol per litre hits 130.7p in the region, costing drivers a whopping £74 to fill a medium-sized car (57L) with fuel.

Meanwhile, the price of diesel in the North West now costs motorists 136.3p/l, and £78 for a tank (57L), on average.

These inflated fuel costs have hit all motorists hard, with some admitting they are spending more money on fuel than quality time with their loved ones. In fact, more than a fifth (22%) of UK drivers say they spend more on fuel in a month than they do going on days out with their family and friends. While, one in six (17%) spend more on fuel than they are able to save in a month.

More than a quarter (28%) also say they spend more on fuel than their monthly car insurance bill – a notoriously expensive cost burdened on drivers.

Considering fuel has become such a major expenditure for many motorists, it’s no wonder a fifth (20%) say the cost is making it unaffordable to run a car.

And there is evidence of this as one in seven (14%) drivers cannot afford to fill up their car with fuel regularly, with the average amount spent per trip to the pumps costing motorists just £31, per time, on average.

But cutting back on the amount they spend when topping up isn’t the only measure motorists are taking to save the pennies.

Almost a quarter (23%) say they avoid making trips in their car to reduce their need to spend on fuel. One in four (25%) drivers would even consider changing their job to move closer to their home to cut back the amount they are forking out on fuel.

Nearly one in five (18%) would even consider changing jobs to get a better salary, in order to be able to afford to run their car.

And it seems motorists are willing to ditch conventional-fuel cars in order to cut back on their fuel spending, and would be adopt greener, more cost-efficient alternatives.

Additional research found that almost half (48%) of motorists would buy an electric vehicle for their next car, the majority (77%) of which would do so because it would save on fuel. But worryingly, there is still the other 52% who wouldn’t, mostly (65%) due to the lack of charging points. Although, the hefty price tag is also an issue to some (61%).