Masterlease warns drivers over silly-season cost cutting

Fleet management company Masterlease is warning drivers over ‘silly season’ cost and corner cutting in direct response to the high price of fuel at the pumps.The company says that with the police warning of an ‘epidemic’ in fuel theft and so-called ‘quick and easy’ alternative fuel conversions, there could be a temptation to try and cut corners to reduce fuel bills which, despite recent supermarket price cuts, are still averaging £1.29 per litre for diesel and £1.19 for unleaded petrol.With incidents of fuel theft, including ‘bilking’ – driving off without paying, showing a 65 per cent hike in some areas, and incidents of siphoning off fuel from private vehicles up by 20 per cent, motoring organisations including Masterlease are warning drivers not to resort to ‘summer of madness’ antics to get hold of petrol and diesel.Masterlease is also warning drivers not to be tempted to use illegal ‘red’ diesel in their engines which averages 66 pence per litre cheaper than conventional diesel, but could have long-term legal and mechanical consequences.Police forces in many parts of the UK launched sting operations with HM Customs and Excise officers and found that one in five vehicles was discovered to be illegally showing traces of the pink-coloured fuel that is used mainly for agricultural equipment.“With fuel prices so high, it would appear that a lot of drivers are resorting to extreme tactics to get hold of cheaper fuels,” says Clive Forsythe, sales and marketing director for Masterlease.“No one likes high prices, but using illegal or alternative fuels that do not suit your engine can have far more costly consequences in terms of fines or engine damage.”It is important to investigate alternative fuel conversions thoroughly and use respectable outlets. TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk advises motorists who are looking to convert to LPG or run their vehicles on biofuel, to research carefully beforehand.

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