Latest figures show that petrol sales has fallen with 15 % since 2008 and that the
fall is attributed to the current economic recession with consumers either driving less and thus using less fuel or deciding to car pool to work or the school run , also using less fuel.
Figures also show that drivers are swapping to more economical diesel cars and sale figures have risen from 43.5 % to 51.4 % of the market share since 2008 but according to forecourts the sale of diesel fuel has also gone down in the same period possibly indicating that although drivers swap to what they consider to be more fuel efficient cars, they still drive less and thus buy less fuel.
However, some of the reduction is fuel sales is also down to more fuel efficient cars meaning that the car producers are producing cars able to drive longer on less fuel. But although forecourts and oil companies must be feeling this reduction in usage and sales, some oil companies have decide to help educated the public on how to improve fuel economy instead of trying the get consumers to use more fuel. Shell is one company about to host a Fuel Save day in London this year where motorists will be given lessons in how to save fuel. What Shell is trying to prove by hosting such a day might be unclear but the company says its hoping for a world record in the biggest eco driving lesson ever so maybe its the publicity they are after in a hope that when people do fuel up their cars, they choose Shell.
The company has recently introduced new fuels which they claim is more efficient and will save you on petrol in the long run. Their FuelSave unleaded and Diesel replaces their standard equivalents and will cost the same. But whether your old A Class Mercedes will become more fuel efficient with this new type fuel remains to be seen. A comparison between Shells fuel and fuels from other companies is probably needed.