A new government scheme forcing fuel retailers to display daily prices online will make little difference to company fuel costs, according to Red Corporate Driver Training.
The scheme, recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority after its damning road fuels report found evidence of retailer profiteering, would give drivers access to a database which allows them to find the cheapest fuel in their location.
While the scheme will not be compulsory, the Government expects all retailers to join it in advance of a mandatory scheme being implemented later. It believes that drivers will use this to search out cheaper prices, even if it means driving for a few extra miles to fill up, and Asda has already said it will display live fuel prices on its website.
But Red Corporate Driver Training CEO Seb Goldin said the government scheme was just “tinkering around the edges”.
He added that the only way to save money on fuel is to drive better.
“With better training fleets can take more proactive steps and take cost reduction strategies out of the hands of politicians.”
The move for live online fuel pricing comes amid rising pump prices. Latest data shows prices are far lower than the heights reached last summer of £1.91 per litre for unleaded and £1.99 per litre for diesel, but are still higher than the average for 2023. They are rising too: unleaded prices are increasing by an average of 1.3% per week, while diesel prices are going up by 1.4% per week.
Figures from Red show its Fuelsave driving course can offer significant savings on fuel costs for businesses; fuel consumption for a standard white diesel van improved 11.3% (from an average of 27mpg to 30mpg) after drivers attended the course – equating to an annual saving per vehicle of £734, based on diesel at 145p per litre and 30,000 miles a year.
Drivers have also reported more efficient progress from the new driving style they are taught on the course, resulting in journey times decreasing by 3.6%.
Goldin added: “With the huge uptake in our Fuelsave course this year, it’s clear that fleets realise economical driving is still a hugely important skill.
“With reduced demand at the pump as drivers switch to electric – and therefore higher prices as oil companies look to retain profit margins – the days of low diesel and petrol prices may well be over.
“That may not be a problem for drivers in electric cars, but for fleets which rely on diesel vans and trucks, it could be a significant financial burden. In this case, Fuelsave training can help mitigate against these cost rises.”
