Petrol pump warning on forecourts at Tesco, Asda and more
Petrol station etiquette isn't taught at any stage of the driver's learning journey so what are the unwritten rules for being a polite petrol station customer?
As many drivers take to Reddit to voice their biggest fuel filling icks, Fuel card expert and Sales Director at Right Fuel Card, David James, shares five top petrol station etiquette tips.
Should you move your car after putting fuel in it?
One Reddit user recently shared their fuelling experience after being insulted by another driver for leaving their car next to the pump whilst going inside to pay.
Many commenters expressed their outrage and opinions, provoking the question, should we be moving our cars immediately after fuelling if we intend to go inside the shop?
David said: 'If you are simply paying for your fuel inside, then the next customer is unable to fuel their car until you have paid so there is no point in moving your car for them as they won't be able to proceed.
'You could also risk the petrol station workers thinking you're driving away without paying, which could cause unnecessary stress.'
Where should we park at the petrol station?
Some petrol stations have tight spacing between pumps so it can be hard to determine the best position to park.
David suggests: 'Always be mindful of spacing when parking near the pumps and just use your initiative, if you think that your own vehicle wouldn't be able to fit beside you, then neither can anybody else's.
'Nevertheless, there is no need to overthink this, if you see another driver struggling to fit beside you, then you can just simply adjust your vehicle accordingly.'
Recommended Reading:
Should we only be filling up on the tank side?
As all European-built cars are designed predominantly for left-hand drive markets to allow safer fuelling at the roadside, should we be only using the tank sided pumps?
David explains: 'Modern day pumps should be long enough to reach the other side of your car, so you can utilise any of the free pumps and avoid waiting for longer than necessary.
'Always be mindful of oncoming traffic and how you park at the pumps to allow enough space for you to fuel on the other side safely.
'If you forget which side your fuel filler is on, you can look at the fuel gauge on the dashboard as there is a mini image of a fuel tank which shows the side your fuel filler is on.'
If the pump ahead is free, should we move our vehicle forward?
Another Reddit user posted their fuelling experience involving a 'staring match' for refusing to move their vehicle forward when the next pump became free.
David comments: 'It can be annoying seeing another driver fuelling their car whilst the pump in front of them is free and you are able to go around them.
'If you have already begun fuelling or inserting your card at the pump, do not feel pressured to move your vehicle. This isn't safe or practical.
'If you haven't exited your motor yet and see that the pump in front has become free, then you may wish to move forward to allow space for other drivers.'
Never use your mobile phone at the petrol station
We've all heard the rumours that our mobile phones could cause an explosion at the petrol station - but how true are they?
David said: 'Filling up on fuel is a task that holds a lot of responsibility, fuel is highly flammable and anyone handling it needs to do so with caution, and as safely as possible.
'Whilst there's no real data around the impact that mobile phones have on fuel, it has been said by the UKPIA that there could be a potential risk of sparking, as the technology has not been designed or certified for use in 'explosive' atmospheres.
'Whilst the risk involved may be low, it's always best to minimise that risk and avoid using your mobile phone when filling up your vehicle's fuel.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Should I buy my teenage daughter an EV to learn to drive in?
By My 16 year-old daughter is dead set on getting an EV as a first car. She'll start learning to drive in October when she turns 17, and I have some big reservations about her learning in and driving an electric car. Firstly, I'm concerned insurance will be astronomically expensive. Secondly, I'm worried about her not being able to drive a manual car. Thirdly, I'm worried that she'll end up charging in unsafe places. We had a deal that my wife and I would buy her a nearly-new car if she got a Saturday job to pay for the insurance and fuel. She's entirely held up her end of the bargain there. She'll be sharing it with her mother and will pass it on to her younger brother in a couple of years' time (he's also keen on an EV). She says her mates are getting EVs and she wants to be environmentally friendly. Can you advise me if my reservations are warranted or I'm just being an old fuddy duddy? David, Nottingham. Daily Mail and This is Money electric cars expert Freda Lewis-Stempel replies: David, welcome to the joys of independent teenagers. 10 years ago I was getting my first car, and although I wasn't getting an EV, the family 'debates' around what ended up being my 1.6-litre Peugeot 207 are still etched on my memory today. I completely understand that you want your daughter to have the safest, most sensible, best value for money first car. And you're asking the same questions as many parents because so many young people now want to own an EV: almost half of learners want lessons in an EV . So to make sure you're armed with all the facts, I've asked some of the leading experts in each area to give you their best insight and advice. The rest I'm afraid is down to trusting your daughter – as you've said she's done everything asked of her, and just because you wouldn't chose an EV doesn't mean it's the wrong choice for her. Also the 'my friends all have one' is always hard argument to resist... Good luck with that one! How insurance costs for an EV learner compare Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket says: 'Generally, insurance premiums for electric vehicles (EVs) are higher than petrol and diesel cars because EVs tend to be more expensive to buy upfront and repair, batteries are costly components, and repairs often need specialist knowledge and parts. 'As a result, insurers will factor in the greater cost and complexity of claims when calculating premiums. 'Between 01 January 2025 and 29 July 2025, the average price of an annual premium bought through MoneySuperMarket by under-25s was £1,771 for an electric vehicle and £1,467 for petrol. 'However, there has been an increase in the availability of more affordable EVs that are suited to learner and newly passed drivers. Models like the Renault Zoe, Vauxhall Corsa-e or Nissan Leaf often come with lower insurance group ratings. 'As more people buy EVs and insurers build more detailed risk profiles, the cost gap between EV and petrol car insurance will continue to fall. The average annual car insurance cost for electric vehicles has fallen by more than £100 since 2023 according to MoneySuperMarket data.' Freda Lewis-Stempel adds: So, while you're not wrong David that insurance will indeed be higher for an EV, it's not 'astronomically' higher as you feared. In fact insuring a used EV (which is the case for your daughter) tends to be cheaper than insuring a brand-new one, mainly due to depreciation. Ms Hempstead also said that adding an experienced driver like a parent (in this case your wife) to the policy can reduce the premium as it's seen as lower risk by insurers. But she warns that while it's fine if the parent occasionally uses the car, the main driver must be accurately listed on the policy or it will be viewed as 'fronting' which is illegal. If the main driver is your daughter then make sure she's named as such. She also points out that newer EVs often have the latest safety technology including automatic emergency braking, lane assist and crash avoidance systems which 'can help reduce the likelihood of accidents and may be rewarded with slightly lower premiums'. These safety devices can also lower your amount of 'dad worrying' too. Is it a bad idea to learn in an EV rather than a manual? A major concern is that passing your test in an EV is likely to mean not being able to drive a manual car. It's true that your daughter won't master manual car skills including clutch control, stalling or hill starts because EVs don't have a manual transmission or clutch pedal, but Geraint Lewis, Head of Training at Red Driver Training said there are 'benefits' to EVs too. He comments: 'The quiet operation of an EV allows students to better focus on instructions and the road environment. Many EVs feature regenerative braking, which slows the car when you lift off the accelerator. 'This helps learners understand braking dynamics and can reduce reliance on the brake pedal. Some models even let you adjust how strong the regenerative braking feels. 'Driving instructors teach students how to respond to the EV just as they would with any car, so learners quickly adapt to the different feel.' Geraint added that while EVs deliver instant torque and smooth acceleration 'many EVs include settings that reduce throttle sensitivity, making it easier for beginners to control the car while they're learning.' Which are the best EV models for learners? We asked our friends at Auto Trader to recommend some great learner EVs, so you can feel confident you're buying your daughter the right set of wheels. Erin Baker, of Auto Trader, said: 'For learners, affordable models like the VW e-Up! and Mini Hatch, or the T03 from new brand player Leapmotor are all excellent options. 'The electric versions of learner favourites like the Vauxhall Corsa are also great choices for new drivers on a budget. 'The Hyundai Ioniq is another great choice for value, with it being praised for its spacious practicality and smooth ride, which is also ideal for new drivers. What's more, the car is very sustainable due to their battery life being incredibly long. A full charge can be achieved in around 35 minutes, and even a quick 7 minute top-up can add 30 miles of range.' EV charging – is it cheap? You've mentioned that you're getting a home EV charger, so before we get into how safe public charging is, let's address home charging. EV home charger provider Ohme looked into the home charging cost savings to be made for us. Ohme charging specialist Nat Barnes says: 'Charging at home will always be the cheapest place to charge your car – especially if you are on a smart home energy tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go and have a compatible charger such as those from Ohme. That gives you electricity at just 7p/kWh compared to the standard rate of 25.73p/kWh. 'That's the difference of a full charge for a Vauxhall Corsa Electric [a popular learner EV] costing £3.57 or £13.13 for its 266 mile range and 51kWh battery. By comparison an equivalent petrol car over 266 miles would cost more than £40 at 40mpg average fuel economy.' Freda Lewis-Stempel adds: Costs aside, from a safety point of view if your daughter is mainly charging from home then that is of course as safe as it gets. For when she does occasionally charge on the go it's unlikely that this will be late at night or at remote locations. But as a young woman charging myself, I will say that there's been a huge step to ensure safe EV charging all times of the day in recent years. The new InstaVolt Superhub at Winchester that I visited recently is a great example. It has 'comprehensive security features', which include 24/7 CCTV site surveillance on high-performance 8MP cameras. There is on-site security when the on-site coffee facilities are closed, lighting illuminating all walkways, charging bays, and parking areas, as well as intelligent monitoring advanced recognition cameras, ANPR-enabled cameras that instantly detect and notify InstaVolt of any blacklisted vehicles, and remote monitoring of the entire site managed by InstaVolt's head office. I appreciate that sounds like a list for Mission Impossible's Ethan Hunt, but it really goes to show how advanced EV charging safety is becoming – far better than most petrol stations.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Should I buy my teenage daughter an electric car to learn to drive in - I'm not sure it's a good idea?
My 16 year-old daughter is dead set on getting an EV as a first car. She'll start learning to drive in October when she turns 17, and I have some big reservations about her learning in and driving an electric car. Firstly, I'm concerned insurance will be astronomically expensive. Secondly, I'm worried about her not being able to drive a manual car. Thirdly, I'm worried that she'll end up charging in unsafe places. We had a deal that my wife and I would buy her a nearly-new car if she got a Saturday job to pay for the insurance and fuel. She's entirely held up her end of the bargain there. She'll be sharing it with her mother and will pass it on to her younger brother in a couple of years' time (he's also keen on an EV). She says her mates are getting EVs and she wants to be environmentally friendly. Can you advise me if my reservations are warranted or I'm just being an old fuddy duddy? David, Nottingham Daily Mail and This is Money electric cars expert Freda Lewis-Stempel replies: David, welcome to the joys of independent teenagers. 10 years ago I was getting my first car, and although I wasn't getting an EV, the family 'debates' around what ended up being my 1.6-litre Peugeot 207 are still etched on my memory today. I completely understand that you want your daughter to have the safest, most sensible, best value for money first car. And you're asking the same questions as many parents because so many young people now want to own an EV: almost half of learners want lessons in an EV. So to make sure you're armed with all the facts, I've asked some of the leading experts in each area to give you their best insight and advice. The rest I'm afraid is down to trusting your daughter – as you've said she's done everything asked of her, and just because you wouldn't chose an EV doesn't mean it's the wrong choice for her. Also the 'my friends all have one' is always hard argument to resist... Good luck with that one! MoneySuperMarket explains that EVs are more expensive to insure but used EVs are cheaper and the cost of insuring EVs is coming down How insurance costs for an EV learner compare Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket says: 'Generally, insurance premiums for electric vehicles (EVs) are higher than petrol and diesel cars because EVs tend to be more expensive to buy upfront and repair, batteries are costly components, and repairs often need specialist knowledge and parts. 'As a result, insurers will factor in the greater cost and complexity of claims when calculating premiums. 'Between 01 January 2025 and 29 July 2025, the average price of an annual premium bought through MoneySuperMarket by under-25s was £1,771 for an electric vehicle and £1,467 for petrol. 'However, there has been an increase in the availability of more affordable EVs that are suited to learner and newly passed drivers. Models like the Renault Zoe, Vauxhall Corsa-e or Nissan Leaf often come with lower insurance group ratings. 'As more people buy EVs and insurers build more detailed risk profiles, the cost gap between EV and petrol car insurance will continue to fall. The average annual car insurance cost for electric vehicles has fallen by more than £100 since 2023 according to MoneySuperMarket data.' Expert tips to keep learner EV insurance down: 1. Choose a telematic or 'black box policy' This tracks driving behaviours, and rewards careful driving with lower premiums. For younger drivers, who are usually seen as higher risk by insurers, this can make a meaningful difference in terms of cost. 2. Check charging small print When selecting a policy, review the charging details. Insurers may ask if the EV is charged at home or in public, since street charging can increase risk of vandalism or theft. 3. Compare quotes A simple one but make sure you compare quotes to get the right cover at the best price. Freda Lewis-Stempel adds: So, while you're not wrong David that insurance will indeed be higher for an EV, it's not 'astronomically' higher as you feared. In fact insuring a used EV (which is the case for your daughter) tends to be cheaper than insuring a brand-new one, mainly due to depreciation. Ms Hempstead also said that adding an experienced driver like a parent (in this case your wife) to the policy can reduce the premium as it's seen as lower risk by insurers. But she warns that while it's fine if the parent occasionally uses the car, the main driver must be accurately listed on the policy or it will be viewed as 'fronting' which is illegal. If the main driver is your daughter then make sure she's named as such. She also points out that newer EVs often have the latest safety technology including automatic emergency braking, lane assist and crash avoidance systems which 'can help reduce the likelihood of accidents and may be rewarded with slightly lower premiums'. These safety devices can also lower your amount of 'dad worrying' too. Is it a bad idea to learn in an EV rather than a manual? A major concern is that passing your test in an EV is likely to mean not being able to drive a manual car. It's true that your daughter won't master manual car skills including clutch control, stalling or hill starts because EVs don't have a manual transmission or clutch pedal, but Geraint Lewis, Head of Training at Red Driver Training said there are 'benefits' to EVs too. He comments: 'The quiet operation of an EV allows students to better focus on instructions and the road environment. Many EVs feature regenerative braking, which slows the car when you lift off the accelerator. 'This helps learners understand braking dynamics and can reduce reliance on the brake pedal. Some models even let you adjust how strong the regenerative braking feels. 'Driving instructors teach students how to respond to the EV just as they would with any car, so learners quickly adapt to the different feel.' Geraint added that while EVs deliver instant torque and smooth acceleration 'many EVs include settings that reduce throttle sensitivity, making it easier for beginners to control the car while they're learning.' What are the wider benefits to learning to drive in an EV? RED Driver Training comments: 1. EVs are easier to maintain With fewer moving parts and no need for oil changes, routine maintenance is generally simpler and cheaper than for petrol or diesel cars. 2. Environmentally cleaner EVs produce no exhaust emissions, helping to reduce local air pollution and greenhouse gas output. Furthermore, quiet operation also contributes to less noise pollution, creating a calmer driving environment. 3. Reduce family costs EVs have fewer moving parts, meaning less routine maintenance, and electricity is generally cheaper than petrol or diesel per mile. This can be particularly beneficial to families trying to reduce costs and young drivers. Which are the best EV models for learners? We asked our friends at Auto Trader to recommend some great learner EVs, so you can feel confident you're buying your daughter the right set of wheels. Erin Baker, of Auto Trader, said: 'For learners, affordable models like the VW e-Up! and Mini Hatch, or the T03 from new brand player Leapmotor are all excellent options. 'The electric versions of learner favourites like the Vauxhall Corsa are also great choices for new drivers on a budget. 'The Hyundai Ioniq is another great choice for value, with it being praised for its spacious practicality and smooth ride, which is also ideal for new drivers. What's more, the car is very sustainable due to their battery life being incredibly long. A full charge can be achieved in around 35 minutes, and even a quick 7 minute top-up can add 30 miles of range.' Asmart home charger and an EV tariff can save a lot of money. EV charging – is it cheap? You've mentioned that you're getting a home EV charger, so before we get into how safe public charging is, let's address home charging. EV home charger provider Ohme looked into the home charging cost savings to be made for us. Ohme charging specialist Nat Barnes says: 'Charging at home will always be the cheapest place to charge your car – especially if you are on a smart home energy tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go and have a compatible charger such as those from Ohme. That gives you electricity at just 7p/kWh compared to the standard rate of 25.73p/kWh. 'That's the difference of a full charge for a Vauxhall Corsa Electric [a popular learner EV] costing £3.57 or £13.13 for its 266 mile range and 51kWh battery. By comparison an equivalent petrol car over 266 miles would cost more than £40 at 40mpg average fuel economy.' Savings from home charging: Ohme compares the cost of annual driving in the UK when filling up with fuel or using an EV tariff Freda Lewis-Stempel adds: Costs aside, from a safety point of view if your daughter is mainly charging from home then that is of course as safe as it gets. For when she does occasionally charge on the go it's unlikely that this will be late at night or at remote locations. But as a young woman charging myself, I will say that there's been a huge step to ensure safe EV charging all times of the day in recent years. The new InstaVolt Superhub at Winchester that I visited recently is a great example. It has 'comprehensive security features', which include 24/7 CCTV site surveillance on high-performance 8MP cameras. There is on-site security when the on-site coffee facilities are closed, lighting illuminating all walkways, charging bays, and parking areas, as well as intelligent monitoring advanced recognition cameras, ANPR-enabled cameras that instantly detect and notify InstaVolt of any blacklisted vehicles, and remote monitoring of the entire site managed by InstaVolt's head office. I appreciate that sounds like a list for Mission Impossible's Ethan Hunt, but it really goes to show how advanced EV charging safety is becoming – far better than most petrol stations.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Huge car brand returning to the UK selling all EV line-up only available in four countries
The legendary manufacturer's return to Great Britain signals the accelerating evolution of the automotive industry, with petrol-guzzling muscle cars making way for emission-free automobiles An iconic name in the automotive world is making a clean break from its past and gearing up for a major return to the UK market following an eight-year absence. American luxury brand Cadillac, which has long been associated with big V8s and bold design, will be offering a lineup of fully electric vehicles when it relaunches on British soil. Cadillac's return is a bold move by General Motors (GM), which established its European headquarters in Zurich back in 2021 as part of a renewed continental push. The first UK-bound model will be the Cadillac Lyriq, a premium all-electric SUV retailing at around £68,000, that has so far only been available in Switzerland, France, Sweden and Germany. It comes after UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule. According to CEO of GM Europe, Pere Brugal, the brand will focus solely on electric vehicles, with the UK being one of its key markets going forward. He told Autocar: "It is one of the [markets] that we're focusing on right now." While the UK release date hasn't yet been revealed, the CEO did confirm the Lyric will be available soon after final testing is completed in Ireland, and that Cadillac is aiming to launch in the UK with at least two models. But Mr Brugal declined to confirm which ones will be joining the Lyriq, saying: "We want to make sure we launch not only with one model portfolio. We want to make sure we launch with at least a two-model portfolio." The specifications of the Lyriq are impressive — the entry-level version offers a range of around 330 miles and generates 520bhp. Those wanting an extra boost can choose the performance-focused top-tier model, which increases power to 606bhp. However, as Mr Brugal pointed out, launching in the UK is not just about shipping cars across the Atlantic. The ability to import Cadillac's growing portfolio will depend heavily on the alignment of emission regulations and safety standards between the US and Europe. "If the regulations between the US and Europe harmonise, it will make our life easier," he explained. "We will bring a lot of benefit to the final customer, because that will increase the range of options.' He also noted the possibility of designing a bespoke GM model specifically for European tastes. Unlike previous Cadillac ventures in the UK, the relaunch will eschew traditional dealership networks. Instead, the all-electric models will be sold using an online-based model, supported by pop-up 'experience' centres inviting customers to see, drive and configure their cars. This strategic attempt to modernise the buying experience mirrors the approach used by other EV manufacturers such as Polestar. As the Lyriq prepares to hit UK roads, Cadillac's all-electric resurgence signals not just the return of an iconic brand, but also the accelerating evolution of the automotive industry, with tradition giving way to innovation and petrol-guzzling muscle cars making way for emission-free automobiles.
