Petrol and Diesel Drivers Face £539 Million in Wasted Fuel Costs During Summer Festival Travel
Key Insights
Petrol and diesel drivers risk wasting £539 million in fuel costs this summer due to traffic congestion during festival travel.
EV drivers save up to £37 per trip compared to traditional vehicles, with costs as low as £4.20 for a 240-mile round trip.
Festival travel in fossil fuel vehicles is projected to generate over one million tonnes of carbon emissions this summer.
Range anxiety remains a barrier to EV adoption, with 35% of drivers concerned about charging infrastructure near festival sites.
Petrol and diesel vehicle owners are set to waste an estimated £539 million in fuel costs this summer due to traffic congestion during festival travel, according to new research. The study, conducted by OVO, reveals that 13 million adults will drive to festivals in traditional vehicles, with nearly half expecting to spend at least an hour in standstill traffic. The average festival-goer drives 120 miles each way, spending £41.28 on fuel for the round trip, compared to just £4.20 for electric vehicle (EV) drivers using home-charging rates.
Alex Thwaites, Director of EV at OVO, emphasized the financial and environmental benefits of switching to EVs: "Travelling by EV can cut carbon emissions by 74% and be 10 times cheaper than petrol or diesel. If drivers switch off their engines in traffic, they can further reduce fuel waste." The research highlights that 46% of motorists will face delays of at least 60 minutes, with 15% enduring hold-ups of two hours or more, exacerbating fuel consumption and costs.
The environmental impact is equally stark. Festival travel in petrol and diesel vehicles is projected to generate 1,065,273 tonnes of carbon emissions this summer. Despite growing awareness of climate issues and greener initiatives at festivals, nearly half of attendees still rely on fossil fuel vehicles. Thwaites noted that switching to EVs could save the nation £480 million in fuel costs, approximately £37 per driver.
However, range anxiety remains a significant hurdle. The study found that 35% of drivers worry about charging point availability near festival sites, while 36% fear running out of power during their journey. To address these concerns, OVO has mapped charging locations near major festival venues, including Bramham Park and Reading. The research also revealed that 57% of festival-goers would consider EVs if ownership costs were reduced.
With over 200,000 people expected at Glastonbury alone, congestion on major routes is inevitable. Experts warn that the financial and environmental costs of festival travel underscore the urgent need for broader EV adoption and improved charging infrastructure.