Fuel/Diesel/Petrol prices across Europe (pence/litre)

The AA says the Government raised £36 billion in fuel and road tax in 1999.  However, the Government re-invested only £6 billion. So the cry of  better infrastructure and public schemes was just pure  ...   POLITICS  ...  How about telling us where's the other £30 billion gone -   Millenium Dome!  Today its running at   £38 billion in tax and less than £6 billion has been re-invested in roads or transport - This is scandalous.

Read more...

Why is this a nonsence -

• The 422,000 commercial vehicles operating today carry more freight then the 500,000 vehicles of 20 years ago .
• Todays trucks produce 20 times less pollutants then those of 30 years ago.

The cost -

• 70%+ of the cost of fuel purchased in the UK is excise duty (TAX)
• The highest rate of diesel excise duty (TAX) in the EU, is in the UK.
• Diesel purchased today in the UK is over 50p per litre higher than 1995.
• On average, fuel accounts for at least 36% of a UK hauliers costs.
• Each time diesel costs increase by 2p per litre a UK operator running 20 trucks, using 25,000 litres of diesel per week, has to find an extra £26,000 per annum.
  • The UK haulage industry carries 80% of all domestic freight. In 1998 this amounted to 1,629 million tonnes.
  • The road transport industry employs 500,000 drivers, and a similar number of warehouse, workshop and office staff.
  • In 1997/98, 32 billion was raised in taxes on transport, yet only £5.58 billion was invested in the road system.
  • In 1999 this was 39 billion - not much of that was re-invested either (see note above).
• On average;
  • If a 1000 litres of diesel purchased in Europe costs the equivalent of £480.
  • If a 1000 litres of diesel purchased in the UK costs £840.
  • A European based truck can, quite legally, bring 1260 litres of diesel into the UK. This amount of diesel will run a truck for 2,300 miles at an average 6mpg. Therefore, any European operator has a commercial advantage over a UK based competitor of just under 25 pence per mile.

  Source: Road Haulage Association

In 1993 the Conservatives introduced us to the so-called "fuel escalator" which levied fuel duty at 3% above inflation in every budget;  at that time fuel prices in the UK were low by European standards and the UK economy was booming and despite the continued use of the escallator principal, three years later unleaded petrol prices in the UK were still very competitive as the third lowest in Europe. However, in 1999 the Labour government increased this rate above inflation to 6% and as a result UK unleaded petrol prices became the highest in the Europe and diesel has been the dearest in the Europe since 1997. 

Whats the UK governement response -  to blame everyone else and claim that the crisis is caused by world oil prices and that the ‘developed countries’ should pressurise OPEC to reduce the price of oil !!!

Despite the price of crude oil falling compared to mid 2001, prices at the pumps have remained high and are set to rise again. Without tax, the UK has the cheapest petrol in Europe at 19p a litre.   Add the Tax and it's among the most expensive in the world.  Do they really think your that dumb not to have noticed!!!

...and cars are still upto 60% dearer in the UK than mainland Europe (including those made in the UK);

...and £16 million was raised in speeding fines in 2000 - so where's that gone.   Not into any roads we can see.

August 2001:  BP announced first half profits of £1.3 million AN HOUR.   UK Treasury requests a "Windfall Tax" on oil company profits.  Do you think any will get back into the taxpayers pockets or ease UK industry, we don't think so how about you.  We have yet to see evidence that the UK government will truly back UK industry on this issue.

Cost of a barrel of crude at start of September 2001 was $31, that fell to less than $17 a barrel in November 2001 - where was this reflected at the petrol pumps ??

Buy petrol in units of litres rather than in units of pounds. Buying £10, £20 or filling up hides the true value of what you are getting. Buying in litres rather than £'s will highlight very effectively those who charge more for the same amount of fuel.

Remember that your driving style affects fuel consumption. Simply avoid heavy acceleration and braking, Roofracks and spare the Air conditioning which drinks it.