RAC reacts to announcement on motorway fuel price sign trial

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: "While long overdue, this trial is very welcome as motorway drivers are regularly paying up to 10p a litre more than the national average for their fuel or, compared to the cheapest retailers, up to 15p more. A move to introduce motorway fuel price signs, already commonplace on continental roads, is therefore welcome and something the RAC has been calling for.

"We believe motorway service area operators take advantage of drivers having to make distressed purchases so the more information motorists have about the costs they face if they opt to stop at a motorway to fill up, the better – although ultimately drivers will still be faced with a choice between one expensive fuel retailer and another.

"The Government now needs to provide clarity on what measures will be used to confirm if the signs trial has been successful or not. Part of the problem remains that motorway service stations are monopolies and feel they can fleece the motorist at each turn. A public display of just how expensive motorway fuel is has to be a step in the right direction, but attention should also be given to making prices fairer for motorists in the first place.

"Eighteen months also seems like a long time for a trial – so the reality for most motorists is that we are still a number of years away from full fuel price transparency on our motorways."

Press office team

Press office team

For journalist enquiries only

Share

Latest News

Website preview
Second month of lower fuel prices as petrol and diesel fall by 2p a litre in April
RAC calls for further cuts at the pumps to reflect lower wholesale costs
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
RAC rolls out mechanic apprenticeships nationwide in industry first
Students across England can now become patrols or RAC Mobile Mechanics through the ‘RAC Academy’
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Drivers planning a million more leisure trips by car this May Day bank holiday
The number of getaway journeys on major roads is up on last year despite Easter still fresh in people’s minds
media.rac.co.uk

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About RAC Media Centre

The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to nearly 14 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

At the forefront of new solutions for business fleets and consumers, the RAC’s breakdown service is electric-ready with mobile EV charging technology and be called on using myRAC – its all-in-one route planner, fuel finder and breakdown reporting app