With fuel prices still fluctuating across the UK, drivers can save over £200 each year just by taking centimetres off the accelerator pedal.
Analysing the top-selling petrol cars of the year, one of Europe’s leading price comparison sites idealo.co.uk has teamed up with Britain’s Coupon Kid Jordon Cox, to calculate the mammoth annual savings Brits can make by getting just five more miles out of a gallon.
From Vauxhall Corsa’s, to Kia Niro’s and Nissan Qashqai’s, the data shows that fuel bills can be cut by up to 14% per year. In fact, Kia Sportage owners can save £209.96 (14%), Mini petrol bills can be reduced by £151.79 (12%) and Vauxhall Mokka drivers can lower their fuel payments by £125.19 (11%).
Based on the current annual UK mileage of 6,533 and the miles per gallon (MPG) rate of the vehicle, the table below shows the average fuel cost per year for each car and the potential savings if just five more miles are covered per gallon:
| Car | Gallons Of Fuel | Miles Per Gallon | Fuel Cost Per Year | Cost With 5 More MPG | Saving |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 128.10 | 51.4 | £974.86 | £887.80 | £87.06 |
| Kia Sportage | 204.16 | 32.1 | £1,553.69 | £1,343.73 | £209.96 |
| Ford Puma | 151.93 | 42.8 | £1,156.21 | £1,035.74 | £120.47 |
| Mini | 171.92 | 38.2 | £1,308 | £1,156.21 | £151.79 |
| Nissan Qashqai | 139 | 47.1 | £1,057.81 | £956.06 | £101.75 |
| Vauxhall Mokka | 155.55 | 42.2 | £1,183 | £1,057.81 | £125.19 |
| Kia Niro | 110.73 | 58.9 | £842.67 | £776.84 | £65.83 |
To be more economically conscious when driving, Jordon Cox recommends trying the following simple money-saving hacks, which will in turn increase the number of miles per gallon.
- Go Easy On The Pedal – “By pressing lightly on the gas and brake, you can use less fuel whilst still hitting the correct speeds. A matter of centimetres less on each pedal could save hundreds per year.”
- Lighter Load – “If you tend to have a boot full of luggage or goods that don’t need to be there, take them out so your engine has to pump in less fuel to reach target speeds or go up steep inclines.”
- Air Con – “Although in the summer months it can be uncomfortable in the car, air con can significantly increase fuel consumption, especially at lower speeds. When driving slowly, open the windows to circulate airflow through the vehicle instead of opting for the air con.”
- Stay In The Speed Limit – “It seems an obvious one, but by sticking to the speed limits, you won’t consume any unnecessary fuel. Driving faster than 70mph in small engine cars will rapidly go through the fuel tank, so don’t be tempted to go over the limit.”
- Planning – “Rather than relying on satellite navigation, have a quick look at the route beforehand so you lessen your chances of getting lost. Take the route with the shortest distance, not time, as this normally means going on a motorway and consuming more fuel at higher speeds.
Katy Phillips, brand and communications manager at idealo commented on the findings:
“It’s no secret that fuel prices have contributed heavily to the stress in the cost-of-living crisis. Although we have no control over reducing the price of petrol, we can control our consumption of it, and we hope our money-saving tips will inspire car owners to adjust their driving approach. Our data analysis shows that simple changes can result in hundreds of pounds worth of savings – fingers crossed people try them and find big reductions in their annual fuel costs.”
