Press release issued Tuesday 13 September 2005

ON THE EVE of fuel protests designed to bring the country to a standstill, Transport 2000 argues that the Fuel Lobby must stop blaming Government for high oil prices and take immediate measures to reduce the fuel consumption of their vehicles.


“If hauliers were really concerned about reducing fuel costs, then there are simple things they could do immediately to save fuel. But instead of doing things for themselves, some industry members prefer to whinge at the Government,” said Stephen Joseph, Executive Director, Transport 2000.

Mr Joseph said that hauliers, like the rest of the world, will have to come to terms with the fact that oil reserves are dwindling, prices are increasing and there is an urgent need to combat the international climate change crisis. Government has a crucial role here, but there are a number of ways in which hauliers can adapt their vehicles and driving behaviour to ease the squeeze of increasing fuel prices. These include:

• Getting the right vehicle for the job to maximise efficiency and economy

• Keeping the vehicle in top condition by repairing fuel and oil leaks, adjusting faulty steering and realigning axles

• Using quality tires: Some tyre manufacturers have reduced the rolling resistance of their tyres to lower fuel consumption by up to 8 per cent.

• Giving it wings: Lorries have the aerodynamics of a brick, so fitting the right features to a long distance vehicle can lower fuel consumption by up to 12 per cent.

• Avoiding widgets: Many new widgets that claim to reduce fuel consumption at best don’t work, and at worst damage vehicles.

• Driving sensibly: Keep to 40 or 50mph, even on motorways, and don’t accelerate too rapidly.

• Rationalising journeys: Think about why you are making a journey and combine trips where possible.

The Fuel Lobby argument is flawed in every respect and the facts speak for themselves:

• Since the fuel protest in 2000, Vehicle Excise Duty has been halved on many categories of HGV (Institute of European Environmental Policy 2004)

• There are currently substantial incentives to convert lorries to alternative fuels (Institute of European Environmental Policy 2004)

• Duty on petrol and diesel was reduced by 13 per cent in real terms between 2001 and 2004. (HM Treasury 2004)

• Fuel duty is higher in the UK than most other EU countries but the full basket of motoring taxes, including fuel duty, purchase tax, VED and road tolls, is about average. (Commission for Integrated Transport 2001)

• Since Labour came to power in 1997, motoring is 6 per cent cheaper in real terms (taking into account purchase, maintenance, petrol, tax and insurance), while bus fares have risen almost 16 per cent and a rail ticket is 7 per cent more expensive than in 1997. (Department for Transport 2005)