Petrol and diesel drivers are being hit with an additional £15 fee to top-up their car at certain fuel stations, according to the AA. Edmund King, President at the AA, stressed owners were being hit with an “outrageous’ bill to fill up at motorway service stations.
On average, the AA has revealed that motorway bays were charging between 20p and 30p per litre more than ordinary fuel stations, a major blow to road users. According to the latest figures, the average price of petrol is 134.6p per litre, with diesel at 141.9p per litre. Despite this, motorway averages stand at 155.7p a litre for petrol and 164.4p for diesel, a serious hike.
The AA refused to accept the higher costs even when taking into account the extra cost associated with running service stations.
Edmund said: “Even with the extra costs of providing a 24-hour service, free parking and facilities and staffing, charging 20p to 30p a litre above the UK average pump price or £10 to £15 a tank more to fill up on a motorway is frankly outrageous. No wonder holiday drivers baulk at buying fuel at a service area.”
According to analysis, West Country routes between London and Exeter saw the highest difference in fees. On the motorway, road users are paying around 155.2p per litre to top-up with petrol and 163.1pence to fill up with diesel.
This compares to a local A-road average of 139p per litre for petrol vehicles and 146.9 pence for diesel machines.
Across the M1 and M6, petrol was priced at a whopping 158.8p per litre on motorways compared to 145.8 pence elsewhere. Diesel was also a lot higher with motorway fees recorded at 167.1p per litre compared to 154.6 pence off the main routes.
The AA stressed that motorists keen on cutting back on costs should shop around for the best fuel deals even if it means leaving their route.
Mr King stressed that mobile services allow users to locate previously hidden fuel stations that may be lying just off the exit of some junctions.
Edmund added: “Savings on A-road holiday routes stand out in particular. However, there is the likelihood of slower traffic at peak times and many cheaper fuel stations will not operate late at night. It’s a gamble but it may well pay off if a vacation trip cannot be done in one hop.”