New petrol price war at Bristol supermarkets
The New Year is bringing a new round in the supermarket fuel price war in Bristol as Tesco knocks 3p a litre from unleaded and diesel.
Today's reduction - which also sparked price cuts at Asda - came just after the AA revealed that petrol is now the cheapest it has been in three years.
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Tesco's Bristol branches in Brislington and Eastville were selling unleaded at 82.9p a litre, with diesel just 94.9p.
Morrisons in Hartcliffe and Cribbs Causeway on Wednesday, diesel was 96.9p a litre and unleaded was 84.9p a litre.
Although Morrisons did not say they would match the price cuts, a spokesperson said: "We have repeatedly led the market in cutting petrol prices since July and our customers know we'll remain very competitive, wherever they buy their petrol from us."
An Asda spokesperson said: "We've never been beaten on price by Tesco, today is no different. We've always led the way when it comes to lowering petrol prices, and that's why we'll match Tesco's price today."
The AA said the average cost of petrol at the beginning of this week was 87.79p a litre compared with 88.27p at the end of December 2005. Diesel is now averaging 99.72p a litre – the lowest price since November 2007.
With petrol hitting a record high of 119.7p a litre in July this year, a UK driver is on average now paying nearly £16 less to fill up a typical 50-litre tank than during this last summer.
Retailers have been able to cut forecourt costs after a sharp slump in the price of oill.
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by steven, germany
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 7:03PM
“plastered,oiled,bladderd ready to party.”
by Colin, Bristol
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 5:43PM
“Steven in Germany. Yes, I can confirm that you are both confused and stupid. The oil found in the North Sea is typically of a quality that has more value for use in applications other than just powering motor vehicles. So the UK sells this higher quality oil. But don't confuse any of this with the cost of motor fuel. This is governed by many factors, the biggest of which is political - nothing to do with the cost of the raw material. The government of the UK, and that of most European countries, have always seen fit to raise tax revenue from motor fuel sales. The lion's share of the cost of motor fuel is duty or tax of some form. However, we can take comfort from knowing that the government is putting the money raised from fuel taxes to such good use. Steven, don't get plastered this New Year's Eve!”
by Shelly, BRISTOL
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 5:40PM
“Don't worry about the government. They are saving a bundle from only putting up the pensions of those in care homes by 75p a week!”
by steven, germany
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 4:39PM
“when i was a kid they first discovered oil in the north sea.we were all told Britain would now be self sufficient and oil would be cheap for the British motorist .yet know we are exporting oil , god know,s where probably saudi arabia and then buying oil from saudi , maybe i am stupid about high finance but what,s happening . confused ???????”
by Rich, Windmill Hill
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 3:48PM
“Agreed but the VAT is a relatively small proportion of the total.
The VAT on the Flat Rate Tax component of the price stays constant and is worth considerably more than the VAT on the rest.
Then factor in Shelly and my point about supply and demand.
Now, where the government *is* losing out is the tax on the oil coming out of the North Sea.”