Motorists have been dealt yet another blow recently, with reports confirming that diesel prices have hit a record high. It's unwelcome news for drivers already struggling to make ends meet, as the spiralling cost of fuel looks set to put an even greater strain on their finances.
However, there are steps you can take to ease the burden, and some previously shared expert advice from money-saving expert Martin Lewis could prove invaluable. He outlined the driving habits motorists should adopt when attempting to cut down on diesel costs — guidance that is particularly pertinent given the dramatic surge in prices of late.
Remove one item from your car
Speaking previously on The Martin Lewis Money Show, Martin said: "Now these seem small, but have a bigger impact than you think. You should try and look to make your car as efficient as possible."
"Here is our car that has a few problems. First of all, it's got a roof rack on. If that's empty, get rid of it. Really inefficient."
He went on to add: "You're having to push that through the wind on a motorway as you drive. Junk in your trunk - you want to get rid of junk in your trunk. Extra weight. For every about 45kg, it makes your car 1% less fuel efficient. So we get anything out of the boot we're not using in heavy weight."
"Look at those tyres, not pumped up. That can add 3% or 4% to your fuel bills when it's not more efficient, so get your tyres checked and pumped up properly."
Think about your air con
Martin also focused on air conditioning, sharing what motorists should know. He continued: "When you're going at low speeds, your air con can be really quite expensive proportionately and make the car much less fuel efficient."
"At high speeds, if it's warm, keep it on, because opening your windows on a motorway will really add drag and make the car have to work much harder to go further. So, that's the next step. Make your car more efficient."
Pay attention to how you drive
In the clip, posted on Facebook, Martin explained that driving style matters significantly too. He pointed out that using the accelerator and brake burns through cash, although they're clearly essential.
While acknowledging you must accelerate and brake while driving, he also highlighted that proper road positioning, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and planning ahead allows you to "speed up more slowly, and slow down more gradually".
He described this as "massively more fuel efficient", underlining why it's vital to follow the guidance. He emphasised that implementing some straightforward changes like these can help drivers reduce their diesel or petrol bills by between 10% and 30%.
The reason for rising costs
It was confirmed this week that the average cost of a litre of diesel in the UK has reached an unprecedented high of 199.18p, according to figures from the RAC. Prices have surpassed the previous record established in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
This represents an increase of 56.8p compared to the start of the US-Iran war on 28 February this year, when the average price per litre stood at 142.38p. The former record of 199.09p was set back in June 2022.
Diesel costs have climbed steadily over recent weeks, driven by disruptions to global supplies stemming from the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
