Motorists Advised to Remove Roof Racks to Save Fuel Amid Iran Conflict
Drivers across the UK are being urged to remove roof racks and roof boxes from their vehicles ahead of refuelling, as the ongoing Iran war crisis continues to disrupt global oil markets and push fuel prices to new highs.
Sharp Increase in Fuel Costs
The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol has now risen by 6%, or nearly 8p, reaching 140.6p since the start of the conflict. This marks the highest price seen in 18 months. Meanwhile, diesel has experienced an even more dramatic surge, rocketing by 12%—or almost 17p—to 159.2p per litre, a level not witnessed since November 2023.
Impact of Roof Racks on Fuel Efficiency
Roof racks and boxes are among the items that can significantly reduce a vehicle's fuel efficiency. Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, explained the science behind this effect. "Roof bars and roof boxes create wind resistance, causing your vehicle to waste more fuel due to the so-called 'drag' effect," he said.
According to studies cited by Sheehan, an empty roof rack can increase drag by approximately 16% at speeds of 75mph, while an unused roof box adds up to 39% more drag. "This means that as well as slowing you down, you'll be using more fuel," he added. "So, if you're not using your roof bar or roof box, remove it to save money and minimise your emissions."
Government Response to the Crisis
On Tuesday, a Treasury minister declined to confirm whether the Government is planning for petrol rationing if the Iran crisis persists and continues to disrupt the global oil market. When asked if such contingency plans were being made, Dan Tomlinson told Times Radio, "At the moment, it is too early to tell what the impact of this crisis will be in the coming months."
Tomlinson highlighted that the Government has already taken steps to address related issues, noting, "What we have seen in the last two weeks is that there has been a sharp increase in the cost of oil used to heat people's homes, and the Government has stepped in and said we're going to provide £50 million of support for people across the UK who are reliant on heating oil."
Pressed again on the possibility of petrol rationing, Mr. Tomlinson reiterated, "We will monitor the situation, and we'll monitor it carefully."
As fuel prices continue to climb, motorists are encouraged to take proactive measures, such as removing unnecessary roof racks, to mitigate costs and improve fuel efficiency during this uncertain period.
