The RAC says an “11p fuel gap” is opening up at the pumps because many motorists are not using price comparison tools. That 11p figure, reported by BBC News – Business, suggests drivers could be paying noticeably more if they do not actively shop around.
Checking prices before you fill up can be quick and can shave real money off regular petrol or diesel bills. Below we explain why the gap exists, how to find cheaper fuel now, and show simple calculations so you can see the potential savings.
Quick summary of the 11p fuel gap
The headline finding is that there is an 11p fuel gap, meaning the difference in price some motorists are paying compared with the cheapest local options. The RAC’s warning, covered by BBC News – Business, links that gap to low use of price comparison tools by drivers.
That reported 11p is a snapshot: prices at individual stations and across regions change frequently. Treat the 11p as a reported average gap rather than a guaranteed saving for every driver on every trip. Still, small per-litre differences add up over time for regular drivers.
Why many motorists are missing savings
Drivers report several reasons they don’t shop around: convenience, habit, lack of awareness and time pressure. Many fill up at the nearest station rather than checking nearby prices first, or they stick to a familiar brand out of habit.
Price comparison tools exist to show where fuel is cheapest locally, but they require an extra step. If motorists do not consult these apps or websites, the reported fuel gap widens — not because petrol and diesel are uniformly more expensive everywhere, but because behaviour limits access to cheaper pumps.
Other factors include perceived effort to detour, inconsistent app data in some rural areas, and loyalty schemes that can obscure simple per-litre comparisons. All of these combine to leave motorists paying more than necessary on many journeys.
How to find cheaper fuel now
Here are practical steps to shop around and cut costs. Most take only a few minutes and can be done from your phone before a trip.
- Install a trusted price comparison app or use a reputable website that lists nearby pump prices and shows per‑litre costs.
- Search for stations within a short driving radius — often 1–3 miles can offer lower prices without a long detour.
- Compare per‑litre prices rather than only looking at the pump brand; apps usually display price per litre so you can spot the best deal quickly.
- Look at supermarkets and larger forecourts first; they often undercut independent stations by a few pence per litre.
- Use loyalty schemes, fuel vouchers or supermarket card discounts — include their value in your per‑litre comparison.
- Make checking prices a quick routine: glance at the app when you leave work or before a planned journey and pick the cheaper station when it adds little extra time.
Even modest detours can pay back quickly if the price difference is several pence per litre. If you regularly pass a cheaper station, change your routine so you fill there instead of always using the most convenient pump.
How much you could save from shopping around
The reported 11p figure becomes clearer when you put it into everyday terms. If the fuel gap is 11p per litre, a typical 50‑litre tank could save about £5.50 by filling up at the cheaper station (50 litres × £0.11 = £5.50).
If you fill up twice a month, that equals roughly £11 a month and about £132 a year. For drivers who cover more miles and fill more often, or who have larger tanks, the annual effect increases proportionally.
Even smaller differences add up: a 5p per-litre saving on a 50‑litre tank is £2.50 per fill — still meaningful when multiplied over months and across multiple drivers in a household.
Why it matters and what to do next
Small per-litre savings can free up money for other essentials or reduce monthly transport costs for commuters and families. For households on tight budgets, routinely choosing cheaper fuel can be a simple way to lower overall spending without changing travel patterns.
Next steps: install a reputable price comparison tool, check prices before your next fill-up and try one trip where you use the app to choose a station. Track how much you save over a month to judge whether the habit is worthwhile for you.
Key takeaways
- The RAC highlights an 11p fuel gap linked to low use of price comparison tools (reported by BBC News – Business).
- Using apps to compare per‑litre prices can save several pounds per fill and more over a year.
- Make checking fuel prices a quick routine — small habits can deliver noticeable savings.
FAQ
What is the 11p fuel gap?
The 11p fuel gap is the reported difference in price per litre that some motorists are paying compared with the cheapest local options. It is a figure highlighted by the RAC and reported by BBC News; treat it as a reported average, not a fixed saving for every journey.
How do price comparison tools work for fuel?
Apps and websites collect price data from forecourts and user reports, then show nearby prices so motorists can compare per‑litre costs. Accuracy varies by area and update frequency, so use a well-rated tool and check the time of the last update when making decisions.
How much could I save by shopping around?
Savings depend on your tank size and fill frequency. Using the 11p example: a 50‑litre tank could save about £5.50 per fill. Multiply that by monthly fills to estimate annual savings for your driving pattern.
Source: BBC News – Business — Drivers urged to shop around amid 11p fuel gap
Reported by the BBC and summarised here to help motorists act. For the full report and original context, see the BBC article linked above.
