Experts Confirm Queuing for Cheap Petrol Saves Money Despite Idling Fuel Use
As fuel shortages create chaos at service stations across Western Australia, experts have revealed that queueing for cheaper petrol is actually worth the wait, even when accounting for fuel burned while idling. This insight comes amid widespread debate sparked by images of long lines at stations like Vibe in Nollamara, where unleaded fuel was offered for less than $2 a litre on "cheap Tuesday" last week, drawing motorists who queued for up to an hour.
Debunking the Idling Myth
The discussion intensified as hundreds of motorists argued that the cost of fuel burnt while waiting would negate any savings at the pump. However, experts have now busted this myth, providing clear calculations on fuel consumption during queues. PerthNow consulted five experts, who all determined that a standard petrol vehicle burns an average of one to two litres of fuel per hour while idling.
Nic Surawski, an environmental engineering professor at the University of Technology Sydney with expertise in fuel emissions, emphasized that savings from cheaper fuel definitely outweigh the waiting costs. "If it's pure economics and you know your car won't run out of fuel, if you want to save money, that cost-savings threshold is pretty low," Dr Surawski said.
Calculating the Savings
Dr Surawski explained that assuming fuel costs $2.50 per litre, idling for an hour would cost approximately $3.40 in petrol for a typical vehicle. When divided by a 60-litre tank, this equates to about 5.5 cents per litre being burnt. For most motorists, this means waiting in line to fill up is financially beneficial, as savings at a discounted servo can amount to tens of dollars per tank.
"You'd be better off just sitting there idling," Dr Surawski noted. "Even if you're idling for 30 minutes, that drops the cost down even more to about 3 cents per litre wasted. If the fuel's cheaper and the queue's not too long, go for it."
Support from Transport Experts
Professor David Hensher, founding director of the Institute of Transport and Logistic Studies, agreed with this assessment. He stated that while tedious waits are annoying, the savings make them worthwhile. "In a long one-hour queue, drivers would burn less than $5 worth of petrol at typical prices," Professor Hensher said. "Even after accounting for the fuel burned while idling, the driver still comes out ahead."
Health and Environmental Considerations
Despite the economic benefits, Dr Surawski warned that long queues of idling vehicles pose air quality issues, particularly affecting vulnerable members of the community such as those with pre-existing health conditions or the elderly. "If you have a long queue of idling vehicles, it's not going to be particularly good for their health," he cautioned.
He suggested that motorists consider turning off their vehicles during very long waits to mitigate health risks for nearby residents. This advice comes as petrol prices are expected to continue surging, making cost-saving strategies like queueing for cheap fuel increasingly relevant for budget-conscious drivers.
