A driver who holds six Guinness World Records for fuel-efficient driving has revealed seven everyday mistakes that could be costing the average motorist around £200 a year at the pumps.
Kevin Booker, from Wales, tested his tips in the Dacia Duster Journey hybrid 155 and achieved 79 miles per gallon in real-world driving, compared with its official economy figure of 61.4mpg. The hybrid combines a petrol engine with two electric motors and is priced from £21,845 new.
Record-breaking fuel economy tips
Booker's advice comes as diesel prices hit an all-time high of 199.18p per litre on Monday (28 September), with petrol costing 174.13p, according to the RAC. The RAC said diesel prices had entered 'uncharted territory' and served as a reminder of "just how exposed the UK is".
Diesel has soared by 40% since America's war in Iran began at the end of February, while petrol prices have risen by 41p per litre but remain lower than the 2022 peak sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A Dacia spokesperson said: "People can't control the price at the pump, but simple changes to how they drive and maintain their car can help each tank go further."
Seven mistakes to avoid
- Look further ahead – spotting traffic and junctions early gives you more time to slow down gently instead of braking hard and accelerating again.
- Empty the boot – carrying unnecessary items adds weight and makes the car work harder; remove unused roof boxes or racks as they create drag.
- Keep a steady motorway speed – repeated acceleration and overtaking can use more fuel without making much difference to arrival time.
- Check your tyres – under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance; check them regularly against recommended pressures.
- Make use of hills – anticipate the road and carry momentum where safe; in a hybrid, slowing on a descent can help recover energy through regenerative braking.
- Take corners smoothly – get down to an appropriate speed before the bend, then avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration.
- Keep up with servicing – a properly maintained car is more likely to run efficiently, so don't neglect routine servicing and the correct oil and components.
Booker said: "Being heavy with the throttle and brakes wastes energy." He added: "Efficiency is not just about the car you buy, but how you use it."
Potential savings for drivers
Based on Booker's result, a driver covering 7,100 miles a year could save around £204 at current petrol prices – enough to cover the cost of a monthly TV streaming service. For someone driving 10,000 miles a year, the illustrated saving rises to nearly £290.
Dacia's research found that 62% of Brits have cut back on their driving to save cash due to the spiralling cost of living, while 63% now only drive when necessary. The survey of 1,000 UK drivers also found that 44% try to maintain a steady speed on motorways.
After Monday's figures, filling up the average family car with fuel now costs £100, while the average petrol motor sits at £95.83.
Lina Ribeiro, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, said: "Dacia has always been about giving people the freedom to explore, without asking them to spend more than they need to. With family budgets under pressure and an expensive winter ahead for Brits, Duster hybrid 155 is exactly the kind of car we believe in: practical, robust, efficient and ready for real life. With Kevin's advice, families can afford to venture even further afield."
The savings are illustrations based on Booker's 61.4mpg and 79mpg figures in the petrol hybrid Duster, with petrol at 174.13p per litre. At 7,100 miles a year, the calculated saving is around £204; at 10,000 miles, it is around £287. What an individual motorist saves will depend on their vehicle, mileage, fuel price and driving conditions.
