Petrol pump savings fuel interest in Eurozone travel

Published on 27/07/2012 04:10

HOLIDAYMAKERS heading for eurozone countries are benefiting from the biggest fuel savings for four years because of the weak state of the currency, Britain’s biggest motoring group said yesterday.

The news follows travel agents reporting the favourable exchange rate against the pound – 11.5 per cent better than a year ago – which has encouraged more people to travel to countries such as Spain and Greece.

The Automobile Association said diesel was on average 21p a litre and petrol 4.2p cheaper across 11 European countries than in the UK, the most since before the economic downturn.

This is saving diesel owners an average of more than £10 a tank and more than £2 a tank for 
petrol users.

While diesel has been traditionally cheaper in Europe 
because of lower tax, the AA said the petrol saving was mainly due to prices in France falling.

Petrol is also cheaper in five other countries, with prices averaging 132.2p. Austria is lowest at 110.1p and Spain at 110.6p.

However, countries where petrol remains more expensive include the Netherlands, at 140.6p, and Italy at 138.5p.