Motorists Used 3% Less Fuel In 2011 Due To High Petrol Costs

Petrol consumption for cars dramatically dropped in 2011 with high pump prices to blame for motorists filling up their petrol tank with less fuel.

It meant that UK road users saw their cars take in 3% less fuel compared to 2010, according to a survey by RMI Petrol and Experian Catalyst, the petrol station's trade body.

In effect the findings show that on average the 34 million vehicles on British roads used 30 litres less for journeys during the previous calendar year.

The coalition government have since postponed a 4% fuel rise this month in order to alleviate the suffering for motorists.
 
RMI Petrol and Experian Catalyst's chairman Brian Madderson warned that this would actually make Britons 4p worse off when the fuel rise and VAT rise takes place on 1st August 2012.

Mr Madderson said: “It must be time for change and new thinking on fuel tax to provide a much-needed boost to our society and to the economy.

“The consequences of continuing to hit the motorist and consumer with this unfair tax are now clear to all as so passionately debated by MPs in the House of Commons in November,” he added.

A letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer from RMI Petrol and Experian Catalyst draws concerns that higher fuel prices from the government is hampering families, small businesses, low income earners and the rural community.

Mr Madderson will also meet with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander in order to highlight the problems of high fuel duty and how it is affecting motorists.