A new UK government initiative that expects petrol retailers to display daily fuel prices online has been criticised by the fleet industry amid rising costs of petrol and diesel.
The criticism follows the publication of new data from motoring group AA, which revealed that petrol now costs 150.51p per litre, the most expensive its been since early January this year, and that the price of diesel had risen to 152.41p per litre.
The new policy comes after an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), looking at the huge rise in petrol and diesel prices over the past two years.
Although the scheme will not be compulsory, the government has said it expects all retailers to participate.
What’s more, it advises retailers to join in advance of any such mandatory scheme being implemented in the future.
The publication of live daily fuel prices is intended to give drivers access to a database where they can find the cheapest fuel in their location.
However, Seb Goldin, CEO at Red Corporate Driver Training, does not believe the scheme will help make a successful change. He said: “The only way to reduce fuel costs for businesses is to get your employees to drive better”.
Goldin believes that fleet managers need to realise that “economical driving is still a hugely important skill.”
Red Corporate Driver Training found that a standard diesel van doing 30,000 miles per annum made an average fuel saving of 11.3% – equating to an annual saving of £734 per vehicle, based on diesel at 145p per litre.
The initiative, although deemed pointless by Goldin, is encouraged by the government so that drivers will use it to search for cheaper fuel options, even if it means driving for a few miles extra to fill up.
