An Esso petrol station in Staffordshire has reported running completely out of fuel overnight, attributing the shortage to 'market forces and supply issues' as concerns mount over the potential impact of the Middle East war on UK fuel supplies.
Station Forced to Close Pumps
The Fairway Service Station in Stone, Staffordshire, had anticipated a fuel delivery yesterday evening, but this was unexpectedly cancelled. A subsequent delivery was rescheduled for 7am this morning, according to local reports from Stoke on Trent Live.
In a social media update posted last night, the station stated: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances we are currently out of all grades of fuel. We were due a delivery this evening which has been cancelled due to current market forces and supply issues. We are expecting a delivery tomorrow morning (Thursday) hopefully around 7am and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.'
Broader Context of Rising Prices
This incident occurs as the ripple effects of the ongoing US-Iran conflict begin to be felt in Britain. Petrol prices have surged, reaching as high as 169.9p per litre at some pumps, with alarmed motorists reporting diesel price increases of up to 11p per litre.
However, industry leaders have moved quickly to reassure the public. They emphasise that there are currently no widespread issues with fuel supply across the UK. They note that for petrol prices to see a significant and sustained increase, oil prices would need to remain elevated over a prolonged period.
AA President Urges Calm
Edmund King, the president of the AA, has strongly advised drivers against panic buying. He urged motorists to maintain their usual refuelling routines and not to alter their habits unnecessarily.
'There is no need for drivers to break their refuelling routine,' King stated. 'As well as better fuel efficiency, it takes time for cost increases to work their way through to the pump.'
He provided context on recent price fluctuations, noting that petrol had hit a low of 131.9p per litre in February, after starting the year at 135.7p. He predicted pump prices would inevitably rise in the coming weeks, potentially returning to levels seen at the start of the year.
A Silver Lining in Efficiency
King pointed to a potential mitigating factor for consumers: the arrival of warmer spring weather. 'The silver lining is that the country is coming out of winter and the fuel efficiency of cars improves significantly with warmer weather,' he explained.
He detailed that engines are no longer straining with cold starts or powering heaters, lights, and wipers extensively. Typically, car owners can see an improvement of around three miles per gallon, which translates to better range from a full tank. As a rule of thumb, each 1 mpg change is roughly equivalent to a 1p change per litre of fuel.
King also highlighted the role of supermarket competition and new government transparency tools in helping consumers manage costs. 'Supermarkets tend to hold their prices down for longer. However, with the government’s fuel finder pump-price transparency now becoming established, drivers will soon be able to spot all the cheaper fuel stations locally,' he added.
The station in Staffordshire concluded its message by indicating it would try to keep customers updated on any potential supply issues over the coming weeks, as the situation regarding the Middle East conflict and its global economic impacts continues to develop.
