According to new research, managers should insist their drivers do not fill up at motorway filling stations except in an emergency due to the higher cost in fuel prices.
Research shows that motorway fuel prices are currently 10p more per litre than supermarket forecourts which are located just off motorways. This means it is costing fleets an extra £5.50 to fill up a typical car every time their drivers chose the convenience of a motorway service station over a supermarket.
The RAC found that supermarkets are charging £1.11 a litre for unleaded petrol compared to £1.21 at motorway service stations, and an average diesel price of £1.24 at supermarkets compared to £1.34 at motorway service stations.
"These extra costs are inexcusable" said RAC spokesperson, Louise Zucchi.
"Most service stations have the infrastructure and buying power of supermarkets like Asda - which led the recent price cuts at the supermarket pumps and has now introduced a fuel pricing policy but they don't seem to be using that commercial strength to help motorists" she said.
"We hope motorway service station operators will consider what more they could do to ease the pain at the pumps."
Until that happens, it is recommended by the RAC that drivers exit the motorway when they need to fill up and use a local supermarket filling station instead of the motorway service station.
Ms Zucchi stated "By spending a couple of extra minutes to come off motorways, drivers really can be quids in by taking advantage of significant fuel savings."
Ray Holloway a spokesman for the Petrol Retailers Association said the RAC findings were "a statement of the bleeding obvious."
Motorway services have a higher cost base than local filling stations and unlike supermarkets, do not reduce fuel prices to tempt buyers into their stores, he said.
"The advice has always been that motorists have a choice about where to fill up."
Comments