[This will be published in a local newsletter "Caversham Bridge" next month, but given the current fuel price increases, I thought it might be helpful to post it here, in advance, not only for the residents of Caversham, but everyone].
The price of fuel has rocketed, with UK national petrol and diesel averaging 158p and 191p a litre, their highest for several years. This is a knock-on effect of the war in the Middle East, and specifically the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil normally transits onto global markets. Due to consequent supply restrictions, the price of oil has soared to well above $100 a barrel. Since petrol and diesel are made from oil, their costs are impacted directly, with a $10 increase in oil pushing fuel prices up by around 7p per litre at the pump.
Tips for saving on fuel.
Shop Around: Typically, supermarket prices are among the lowest and motorway service areas the highest. Websites, such as petrolprices.com, can help find the cheapest fuel in your area, as prices often vary between different stations. Nonetheless, panic-buying fuel makes the overall situation worse.
Drive Efficiently: avoid abrupt braking and rapid acceleration, maintain a steady speed and shift gears earlier (in manual cars) – this can improve fuel economy by up to 10–30%.
Reduce Speed: Speeds of around 45–55 mph (where safe) often provide the optimum fuel efficiency.
Good Vehicle Practice: Keep tyres correctly inflated, curb unnecessary weight (e.g., empty the boot), and remove roof racks when not needed.
Combine Trips: Since a cold engine is less efficient than a warm one, combine several short trips into one.
Do Without a Car: Use public transport, carpool with neighbours and workmates, or walk/cycle wherever possible.
Work from Home: As far as is feasible, reduce commuting to minimise fuel use.
The Future.
While hoping fervently that the present situation will soon be resolved, oil will not last forever. Eventually, it will become increasingly more expensive and less available, so the present situation may provide a foretaste of what to expect, and how best to deal with this.
The idea of Transition Towns arose in anticipation of “peak oil”, which is where oil production reaches a maximum and then declines. A society with less oil will necessarily become more locally based, building more supportive, and self-sufficient communities, far less vulnerable to external shocks.
Undoubtedly, we face many interconnected and systemic challenges, but all essential efforts toward re-localisation and community resilience may provide the strongest available single buffer against the many storms that are likely to prevail upon us.
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