I was also told that Supermarket petrol comes from Russia and has water in it - its a good story!!!

The fuel is pretty much the same no matter who you buy it from, and there is a minimum quality standard that has to be met. The difference is in the additives different brands put in to it.

Supermarket fuel.

I've posted this several times before, so will keep it short.

My Dad used to manage an ESSO bulk plant. They filled tankers for everyone, from BP to Tescos.

Fuel delivered to tank farm by pipeline from refinery or storage facility. (not Russia!!)

Tanker arrives and logs in at fill point for load.

Fuel delivered to road tanker.

PLUS

various additives dependant on who the seller was to be. Typically:

sellers colour and chemical trace.

diesel tax colour and chemical trace.

diesel anti-foam agent, not specified by supermarkets.

diesel anti-smoke agent, not specified by supermarkets.

injector cleaners, rarely specified by supermarkets.

There are one or two retailers, Dragon were one, that used to buy fuel on the Amsterdam Open Market. These fuels could have come from anywhere. It doesn't seem to be happening so much now, probably because there are now so few true independent fuel suppliers.

What annoys me is the fact that when I was in France a couple of months ago diesel was about 23 pence a litre cheaper than it is in this country.

Is it just down to us to save the planet by having to curb our fuel usage?

It might be cheaper in France, but don't forget that their taxation system is different to ours, so if you look at the wider picture they are no better off than us. Their income tax and VAT is much higher than ours.

It might be cheaper in France, but don't forget that their taxation system is different to ours, so if you look at the wider picture they are no better off than us. Their income tax and VAT is much higher than ours.

Oh heck.....

It'd cost me a weeks wages to get to frigging' France to fill up and save a few shekels.....

I will continue to use David Wotsit in Brecon for my fuel..

Agreed, but at least the wine is cheaper in France!

We're going twice next year. Once just on holiday and then again in August to sing and play at a Festival near Nantes

Agreed, but at least the wine is cheaper in France!

We're going twice next year. Once just on holiday and then again in August to sing and play at a Festival near Nantes

Wot u singin' an' playin' at? You need a bass, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle, guitar player - or even a singist?

I could be free?

The current diesel price here is around £1.157liter, but there is a market share price war between the various suppliers, so the price is usually dropped by 10% for a few hours at various times for a few hours.

My SOP is to simply fill up if I can take more than about 20 liters and see a discounted price. It has worked well for several years, and I rarely have to pay the full price more than a few times on longer trips.

The current diesel price here is around £1.157liter...

That is pretty cheap against our average of about £1.25. But then I suspect we pay more fuel tax and you guys pay much, MUCH more car tax. So at the end of the day both Goverments get about the same amount in tax.

There is a small petrol station just off Kensington High Street (near the Bristol showroom) which has hilariously high prices for fuel, last time I was there it was £1.49 per litre of diesel....

Just to put in my 2p's worth.

My cheapest local garage is a Shell station and they have recently introduced the 'Fuel Save' (I think that's what it's called) diesel and I have to say that this does seem to offer a noticable difference in milage per tank.

I'm normally very cynical about 'marketing plays' (been in Sales for 20+ years), but this does seem to have something behind it. My Yeti is somewhat over 20,000, so nicely loosened up and I do have a mixture of local and long runs, but I have noticed the overall figure drop back if I fill up with other diesel.

Just to put in my 2p's worth.

My cheapest local garage is a Shell station and they have recently introduced the 'Fuel Save' (I think that's what it's called) diesel and I have to say that this does seem to offer a noticable difference in milage per tank.

I'm normally very cynical about 'marketing plays' (been in Sales for 20+ years), but this does seem to have something behind it. My Yeti is somewhat over 20,000, so nicely loosened up and I do have a mixture of local and long runs, but I have noticed the overall figure drop back if I fill up with other diesel.

I've read many a thread on here about the evils of supermarket fuel and what is good out there and near everyone concluded Shell is the only way to go. So for the first time in my life I will give a car a diet of ONLY Shell fuel. Normally I would just have filled up at the closest/cheapest station. Not any more.

It might be cheaper in France, but don't forget that their taxation system is different to ours, so if you look at the wider picture they are no better off than us. Their income tax and VAT is much higher than ours.

I was just making the point that if our higher price can be justified if it helps to lower CO2 emissions and help save the planet then every country should play their part, the difference in VAT isn't that great and our rate will be higher come January. As for income tax I think the difference in the cost of wine along with the odd avoidance tactic will cancel that out.. lol

Isn't it funny that petrol is now more expensive than when oil was $150 a barrel. Current oil price? Around $90 a barrel.

You ain't seen nothing yet...

French Prices? I paid €1.18 a Litre this morning - at Casino supermarket. That is pretty much £1.00 a Litre at today's rate, I reckon. Plus, of course, we don't any longer pay road tax, it is built into the fuel cost. But believe me we pay in other ways!

Tesco may or may not be conceived in hell, however it is possible to take them on at their own game.

I have a Tesco platinum credit card, so not only do I get their loalty (clubcard) points for buying tesco fuel I also get them for shopping everywhere else with the card. Yes I take advantage of the 5p of fuel deals (after all the family has to eat) but will move around for best deals amongst the supermarkets- Morrisons/Asda often far cheaper for processed food. I also use local farmers market regularly for fresh produce.

Here is the rub- with the clubcard points gained I managed to fly four of us from Edinburgh to London for free in October 2009, Used a lot of points again during summer holidays this year. Average £50 pounds of points each quarter, so with recent "double points" redemption promo at Tesco have just bought two 22" televisions for kids christmas (retail price £190 each) for a wad of vouchers and £40.

Also picked up a tip from Toyota forum about cash back sites this week- if I had spotted earlier I would have had the £40 refunded as well-cant win them all!