Reducing the speed limit on motorways by 10mph could stretch fuel further in a shortage and help drivers save money, experts have said.
Both fuel rationing and new speed limits have been outlined in contingency plans in the event of a “severe national fuel supply shortage”.
There are concerns about the impact of the war in Iran – with its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz hitting one of the busiest oil shipping routes – but Downing Street has said Britain’s fuel supplies remain stable.
The International Energy Agency (IEA), which oversees energy supplies, previously recommended that governments introduce a combination of measures to reduce fuel demand, including lowering motorway speed limits by at least 10 km/h.
Simon Turek, the CEO of Hayward, a clean technology company, told The i Paper that “fuel consumption rises disproportionately at higher speeds, so even modest reductions can deliver meaningful savings”.
“A typical driver could save tens to hundreds of pounds per year simply by driving more efficiently. Measures like lower speed limits can help reduce fuel spend at the margin,” he added.
Household finance expert Greg Marsh warned that, in some cases, direct financial savings for households can be modest, but said “reducing speed while driving can help with fuel efficiency”.
“Dropping speeds by around 10mph from 70mph to 60mph [on motorways] can improve fuel economy by roughly 10 per cent depending on the vehicle, so for a 150-mile journey, that could save you a few pounds.” Fuel economy is how far a vehicle can travel on a given amount of fuel.
Professor John Preston, of the University of Southampton’s Transportation Research Group, said: “Personally, if I were a government minister in terms of motorway restrictions, you could bring speeds down to 60mph.”
Working from home to cut fuel use by commuters
He suggested working from home as “another possible response” in the event of a fuel shortage, also recommended by the IEA to cut down demand.
On Wednesday, Keir Starmer said Britain will push forward with its pursuit of closer ties with the EU in the wake of the oil crisis. With a spike in oil prices pushing up the cost at forecourts, the Government has faced opposition calls to introduce measures to ease the burden on consumers.
Experts warned that the restrictions outlined in the UK Government’s own emergency plan for fuel running low – last updated in 2024 – could be considered sooner than previously thought.
It includes plans to prioritise emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances, for fuel while limiting the amount ordinary customers can buy.
Chris Beauchamp, the chief market analyst at trading platform IG Group, said: “It’s important not to start scaremongering but shortages could happen quicker than you might think.
“If consumers begin to panic-buy fuel, it brings the date forward. It could hit very quickly,” he said, predicting a shortage could “hit badly” in April.
Fatih Birol, the head of the IEA, said on Wednesday that oil disruption could worsen and impact Europe from next month. Slovenia has already implemented fuel rationing, becoming the first EU member state to do so.
Filling up car exceeds £100
Petrol prices reached a 28-month high on Monday, according to the RAC.
The average cost has now reached 152p per litre while diesel has hit 181.8p, a price last seen in December 2022.
The RAC also announced that the rise in diesel prices means the cost of filling a typical family car has exceeded £100.
Experts said the UK Government should focus on providing practical steps and clear communication to the public to avoid panic-buying of fuel.
“This situation underlines how fragile the UK is to global energy price shocks,” said Nigel Pocklington, the chief executive of Good Energy, a renewable supplier.
Some drivers were flocking to petrol stations this week to fill up their vehicles before prices rise again.
At a Costco petrol station in the north of England, an attendant said the queues for fuel had been endless on Monday.
“The queues have been consistent for about two weeks non-stop,” she said. “You could pop down any moment and it’s a 40 minute wait.”
A Sainsbury’s petrol station attendant in Sunderland said that they ran out of diesel on Monday and that petrol was also at risk of running dry.
Hence then, the article about how cutting speed limits in a fuel shortage crisis would work was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( How cutting speed limits in a fuel shortage crisis would work )
Also on site :