Drivers have been warned that they could find themselves spending £3 extra every time they fill up unless the fuel duty freeze continues in the upcoming Budget announcement.
Fuel duty discounts are expected to end on March 23 which would see the current 5p per litre reduction return to its original price of 57.95p per litre.
As fuel prices continue to reach record highs, motorists could spend an extra £137 a year unless the Government intervenes, according to new data.
The price of petrol rose to its highest level in the past five months, increasing by 4p in February, showing the impact of inflation on costs.
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Drivers will be hoping for a fuel duty cut in the Budget later today
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Unleaded went up from 140.75p at the start of the month to 144.76p at the end of February while diesel increased by nearly 5p per litre adding more than £2 to the price of a full tank.
Tim Rodie, driving expert at Motorpoint said: “With the average driver already spending close to £200 a month on fuel, it's no surprise that motorists are worried about the prospect of further price increases.
“Fuel efficiency continues to be an important factor for motorists when buying a nearly new car.
“With lots of customers opting for a fuel-efficient vehicle will help save how much they spend at the pump."
Offering tips to drivers to help reduce the number of trips to the filling station, Rodie explained that while it seems obvious, cars can burn through a lot of fuel when stuck in traffic or heading down an unexpected detour.
To combat this, planning a route before setting off through apps like Waze and Google Maps is useful for spotting unexpected delays that could affect journeys.
He added: “If you do get stuck in standstill traffic and it’s safe to do so, consider switching your engine off or using your car’s stop-start function so you don’t waste fuel while idling.
“One of the easiest ways to avoid overspending on fuel is to choose petrol stations that offer competitive pricing.
“You’ll always pay a premium to fill up on the motorway, so it’s worth planning your route in advance to find lower fuel prices a little further from the beaten track.”
Sticking to the speed limit will help reduce fuel wastage as speeding won’t just leave drivers at risk of a fine and points on a licence, it’s terrible for fuel economy, Rodie warned.
Research by Motorpoint detailed how sticking to the speed limit on the motorway can increase fuel efficiency by up to 25 per cent compared with driving at 80mph.
Carrying unnecessary weight in the car can also be a drag on fuel as it means the vehicle is using more to push the car along.
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Unleaded went up from 140.75p at the start of the month to 144.76p at the end of February
PA
The same goes for bike racks and roof boxes, Rodie adds. Unless vehicles need the extra storage space, travelling without them can help reduce excess weight, save fuel and boost the fuel economy of the vehicle.
