Capitalizing on downward swings in petrol price is simple - but only if you refuel smarter
Petrol companies paint the picture that petrol price is both logical and cheap, but the reality appears quite different
This post is about petrol price and how to drive so you can re-fuel more often when petrol prices are comparatively low, thereby saving money.
Petrol price fluctuations
Petrol price fluctuations at the service station are inevitable and unpredictable – but there is a very simple driving and refueling strategy that will allow you to save whenever the petrol price drops. It’s an easy, no-compromise way for any driver to cut the cost of motoring.
You can cut your fuel consumption by 10 per cent (or more) just by planning your trips better.
THE PROBLEM
Most people don’t plan their transport too well – either in business or in their domestic lives. This means they use their cars inefficiently – in other words they end up driving too far, too often, which wastes fuel and therefore money.
This means you can cut your fuel consumption just by planning ahead. It’s easy to cut your fuel consumption like this, but you do have to make an effort.
THE RESULT
For an average driver, spending $50-$100 a week on fuel, cutting your fuel consumption in this way will save you $250-$500 annually.
Degree of difficulty? A politician could do it. (Except they are generally disinclined to cut their fuel consumption because taxpayers fund much of their transport expenditure…)
HOW TO CUT YOUR FUEL CONSUMPTION
Cutting your fuel consumption in this way involves doing two things:
First, you cut your fuel consumption by doing
Verdict: Don’t bother
E10 petrol – a 10 per cent mix of ethanol in petrol – is a nice idea … but E10 petrol will not save you any money.
E10 petrol sounds like a smart idea - but unless you watch the price carefully you could easily get ripped off
Above: Typical ethanol marketing fluffNEED TO KNOW
- Petrol is derived from crude oil, a fossil fuel. It is a chemical hydrocarbon. (Actually it’s a collection of hydrocarbons.)
- Ethanol is manufactured, usually by fermentation, from plant products containing sugars and starches. Ethanol is an alcohol (actually it’s the same alcohol as the stuff in beer, wine and spirits).
- When you buy fuel, you’re buying a liquid form of energy. Unfortunately, ethanol
Potential Saving: $4526.40 per annum – or more
Toll roads in Australia are a complete rip-off. In particular during peak periods, Sydney’s toll roads deliver no tangible benefit to the motorist, yet toll roads cost a bomb. Traffic just grinds to a halt on the major toll roads (and the major free roads) - only the drivers stuck on the toll roads can't get off or try an alternative route. Everyone stuck on a toll road in peak-hour is trapped in a linear car park - and paying through the neck for the 'privilege'. The only group benefiting from toll roads are the companies that own them.
Incredibly, the toll road trip below – common enough for people who live in the north-west sector – costs more than $4500 annually.
We tested what happens when you slash that cost to zero using established free roads.
Above: Castle Hill to the Sydney CBD via toll roads - 34km
Alternatively, try this larger version of the map
TOLL ROADS: NEED TO KNOW
Castle Hill to Sydney CBD via the following toll roads:
- M2 Hills Motorway (toll road): $4.95
- Lane Cove Tunnel (toll road): $2.89
- Sydney Harbour Bridge (toll road): $4.00 (in peak periods)
Return Trip via the same toll roads:
- Lane Cove Tunnel (toll road): $2.89
- M2 Hills Motorway (toll road): $4.95
- (Note: no north-bound toll on the Sydney Harbour Bridge)