Petrol/Diesel prices near you

[roofman]

I mean seriously if the pumps ever did dry up and it was a choice of working or not working then i would have no issues at all in getting to work on the red stuff and winging it.

 

[Cato]

I mean seriously if the pumps ever did dry up and it was a choice of working or not working then i would have no issues at all in getting to work on the red stuff and winging it.

If the pumps dry up it'll be like the zombie apocalypse when the Amazon/Courier vans stop running.

 

[roofman]

If the pumps dry up it'll be like the zombie apocalypse when the Amazon/Courier vans stop running.

so true L

 

[dobbslc]

If the pumps dry up it'll be like the zombie apocalypse when the Amazon/Courier vans stop running.

Except there'll be loads of smug EV drivers whining back and forth between the conked out ICE vehicles

 

[Cato]

Except there'll be loads of smug EV drivers whining back and forth between the conked out ICE vehicles

EVs have their place, but that's the 'last mile' thing. The HGVs that trunk the goods to the distribution warehouses are all diesel, and there are a lot of them.

I've often thought that if the powers that be really were serious about cleaning up transport they'd open up the canal network to commercial boats and make them electric. A canal barge would be ideal to convert given what they do and that they're never more than a stone's throw from a grid connection.

 

[Smallfry]

Except there'll be loads of smug EV drivers whining back and forth between the conked out ICE vehicles

Until they have to use the diesel generator powered charging points ............

 

[Porkypine]

A reasonable £1.38 at a small petrol station near me, and according to the bloke behind the counter, no queues or any such silly boll'x.
He thought a big prominently positioned Tesco one a mile or so away ran out at some point though

 

[premmington]

EVs have their place, but that's the 'last mile' thing. The HGVs that trunk the goods to the distribution warehouses are all diesel, and there are a lot of them.

I've often thought that if the powers that be really were serious about cleaning up transport they'd open up the canal network to commercial boats and make them electric. A canal barge would be ideal to convert given what they do and that they're never more than a stone's throw from a grid connection.

I thought this too...

Don't need many horse power per ton either for a heavy barge - plenty of access to the power grid - new purpose made canals would render themselves to driverless boats as well...

But that would take planning - forward thinking and money. You only gotta look at the recent "fast train north" disaster.

We had a train network... But it got closed.

"The Beeching cuts, initiated by Dr. Richard Beeching’s 1963 report "The Reshaping of British Railways," led to the closure of roughly one-third of the UK rail network, including 5,000 miles of track and over 2,300 stations, to reduce mounting financial losses."

 

[Erie Fred]

And the canal boats could probably have a large flat roof filled with PV panels as well.
Clearly not enough for complete powering, but range extending somewhat.

 

[premmington]

And the canal boats could probably have a large flat roof filled with PV panels as well.
Clearly not enough for complete powering, but range extending somewhat.

Boats are a very efficient way of moving things.

Quick google gives you the numbers - "Traditionally, a single horse was sufficient to tow fully laden narrowboats, often pulling 50+ tons at walking pace. While 1hp is the technical equivalent, a horse can exert up to 15hp in short bursts, making it more effective than a 1hp motor. Modern narrowboats typically use 30-60hp diesel engines, although only 2-5hp is needed for canal speeds."

But when you think about it - a fully ladened 44 ton lorry and trailer - can get near 8-10 mpg now - which I think is good compared to a 1.8 ish ton car that does 40-60 mpg - (that is English gallons @Erie Fred )

 

[Beeezer]

Boats are a very efficient way of moving things.

Quick google gives you the numbers - "Traditionally, a single horse was sufficient to tow fully laden narrowboats, often pulling 50+ tons at walking pace. While 1hp is the technical equivalent, a horse can exert up to 15hp in short bursts, making it more effective than a 1hp motor. Modern narrowboats typically use 30-60hp diesel engines, although only 2-5hp is needed for canal speeds."

But when you think about it - a fully ladened 44 ton lorry and trailer - can get near 8-10 mpg now - which I think is good compared to a 1.8 ish ton car that does 40-60 mpg - (that is English gallons @Erie Fred )

My vessel 62’ narrow boat.
Last wade ( how do you spell that ) was around 28 ton.
She has a 1920s motor that was 12hp at 500rpm when new.
I have to think I need to stop about half an hour before I need to stop…..
And it uses around 1.5 gallon for 8 hours chugging.

 

[premmington]

My vessel 62’ narrow boat.
Last wade ( how do you spell that ) was around 28 ton.
She has a 1920s motor that was 12hp at 500rpm when new.
I have to think I need to stop about half an hour before I need to stop…..
And it uses around 1.5 gallon for 8 hours chugging.

While I am a bit anti EV for vehicles on the road.

It would not take too much imagination - to see how purpose made low HP electric barges - on purpose made canals - fenced off from the public and other leisure boaters - would make the most driverless - most energy efficent form of transport for moving goods from one hub to another big hub. Line the banks with solar arrays... Some sort of overhead/side track holding system - to hold barge in place in auto locks.

Use the same track holding system for mooring.

24/7 silent operation - no staff - all Ai and GPS - anti collision sensors - the tech is here now..

Plus with global warming the canals will never freeze over...

I know canals use water - but the ones we got - were built in the Industrial Revolution - about the year 1800 on a budget - they lasted well and the tech is well understood.

Chinese done it for 5000 ton boats https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-...n-canal-in-just-four-years-1KqUPQAxfY4/p.html

We talking about 50/100ton barges here...

 

[DanZac]

I thought this too...

Don't need many horse power per ton either for a heavy barge - plenty of access to the power grid - new purpose made canals would render themselves to driverless boats as well...

But that would take planning - forward thinking and money. You only gotta look at the recent "fast train north" disaster.

We had a train network... But it got closed.

"The Beeching cuts, initiated by Dr. Richard Beeching’s 1963 report "The Reshaping of British Railways," led to the closure of roughly one-third of the UK rail network, including 5,000 miles of track and over 2,300 stations, to reduce mounting financial losses."

The problem with canals and rail is that they only go to limited places, so you still need to load onto lorries at either end which means triple handling every item which is ridiculously inefficient.

As a nation that's surrounded by the sea you'd be better off putting stuff on insore boats to move it around the coast than trying to dig thousands of miles of canals through people's back yards. It'll get you as close as a canal will but at zero cost.

 

[Migmac]

Doesn’t matter here, fuel station has run out !

 

[Trevorleach]

Heard a rumour from fella that works in USA oil industry been told not loading more tankers.
Cannot verify obviously, but boss reckons fella is legit, and old family friend.

Petrol stations at Hurst Green loads of fuel and no queues, man says they not having any issues with deliveries yet!

 

[Dozzer]

We were all talking about this last night, and someone pointed out that a few news channels that seem to thrive on mindless drama, had been doing news slots on cars queueing. its almost like they want to cause the problem!!
Go past 3 fuel stations in town on way to work, they have gone up by few pence, but no queues

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

its almost like they want to cause the problem!!

I thought this too...I saw a pic of queues in the news at Costco...but Costco is often busy I think.

Need to fill the van up...I'm up t'north at the minute and seems cheaper up here.

 

[roofman]

We were all talking about this last night, and someone pointed out that a few news channels that seem to thrive on mindless drama, had been doing news slots on cars queueing. its almost like they want to cause the problem!!
Go past 3 fuel stations in town on way to work, they have gone up by few pence, but no queues

The only subject i agree about a news blackout is fuel, its only panic buying that runs the pumps dry.

 

[Ubique]

I thought this too...I saw a pic of queues in the news at Costco...but Costco is often busy I think.

Need to fill the van up...I'm up t'north at the minute and seems cheaper up here.

Costco always have fuel station queues on a Monday, Friday and for a couple of days after payday - busiest time is 1600-1800 and the quietest is 0630 - 0830 on a Saturday

 

[Beeezer]

The problem with canals and rail is that they only go to limited places, so you still need to load onto lorries at either end which means triple handling every item which is ridiculously inefficient.

As a nation that's surrounded by the sea you'd be better off putting stuff on insore boats to move it around the coast than trying to dig thousands of miles of canals through people's back yards. It'll get you as close as a canal will but at zero cost.

Distribution, a lot of canals in the uk run along side railways and motorways.
Without thinking I know of two places where all three forms of transport run along side each.