FuelWatcher

May 2002 Issue No.6

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Welcome to the 6^th edition of FuelWatcher, the newsletter that saves Australian motorists money with fuel saving tips and information.

The big news this month is the recent oil company raids the ACCC has conducted. In the biggest corporate raids by the ACCC in Australian history, 11 fuel company sites were entered and documents seized. It was also the first time the ACCC has undertaken a multi-site exercise. The ACCC estimates it will take months to sift through all the documents and draw their conclusion as to whether or not some companies have been allegedly colluding or fixing prices. Whatever the ACCC’s finding’s we would hope that the ‘air would be cleared’ once and for all. More information can be found in What's News?

Last month we announced the launch of ePriceBoard, the service that allows service station operators to post their prices when they change to FuelWatch. The take up has been encouraging and over time, as more service stations participate, the FuelWatch network will grow to cover more areas in Australian. If you have searched for prices on FuelWatch and there were no prices for your area we would encourage you to tell your local service station about ePriceBoard next time you are filling up. To learn more about ePriceBoard please visit http://epriceboard.com

This month’s feature articles by Damien Reid include the 4^th installment in our series on hybrid vehicles. Damien reports on the results of the first long-term test of a fleet of hybrid-powered cars with the Queensland Government’s QFleet ticking over its first 12 months. All of Damien's articles can be found in What's News?

We also announced last month the alliance between FuelWatch and Motorpass. Our servers have been working overtime with downloads of the Motorpass application forms. For twenty years, Motorpass has been Australia's premier fuel card, assisting business - large and small - with the task of administering vehicle-related expenses. If you haven’t done so already, click here for more information or to order your Motorpass card

Until next month, safe motoring!

Matt Forman
National Manager
mforman@fuelwatch.com.au

Damien Reid, our guest editor, with more fascinating news on the Fuel and Auto front.

Raids Spark Long Term Investigation

Motorists could be the big winners from a recent raid conducted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the offices of Mobil, Caltex and Shell over allegations of collusion and price fixing... [read more]

1030 kms From 53 Litres. Putting Diesels To The Test

So the jury's out as to whether hybrid cars are worth the money according to the recent Fuelwatch poll which asked: "Do you think the new hybrid cars (eg. electric powered) are cost effective?"... [read more]

Report Card In For Australia's First Green Fleet

The results are in on the first long-term test of a fleet of hybrid-powered cars with the Queensland Government's QFleet ticking over its first 12 months running six Toyota Prius sedans... [read more]

US Army Joins The Fight To Save Petrol

An unlikely ally has emerged in the effort to conserve fuel and produce more fuel-efficient cars - the Unites States Army... [read more]

VW's Fuel Miser Is A Real Piech

Germany's giant Volkswagen group owns a number of car companies including top-shelf sports and luxury brands such as Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini... [read more]

Each month we will have a fuel saving tip that has been sent in from one of our FuelWatcher's. If you know of a way that can help other FuelWatcher's save money on their fuel bill please send it in. If your tip is published we will send you a $25 FREE fuel voucher.

This month's winner is Dannielle.

"Many drivers are on the gas peddle and then on the break pedal, repeatedly. You could say yourself a considerable amount of money on fuel and excessive premature wear on your brakes, tyres and drive train.
All it takes is for you to be more alert and aware of what is going on
around you. Don't accelerate quickly and then have to apply your brakes hard just a few metres up the road. When if you had taken notice that the traffic ahead of you is stopped anyway.
When coming to a red light or an intersection, lift your foot off the accelerator and your vehicle can use your engine as a means of slowing, don't drive or accelerate right up to the last second and then have to apply your brakes a lot firmer.
Remember be a smart driver, be a smooth driver and save money. (Your car
will appreciate it too)"

Congratulations Dannielle, your $25 free fuel voucher is on the way

The average, lowest and the highest prices for last month in each city were:

City	Average	Lowest	Highest
Adelaide	90.1	82.9	97.9
Brisbane	80.0	72.9	89.9
Melbourne	89.4	78.9	107.9
Perth	90.4	83.5	101.9
Sydney	88.6	80.9	99.9

The price leading service stations for each city last month were:

Brisbane

Service Station	Liberty
Address	Braun Street
Suburb	Deagon
Average Price for month	77.3

Sydney

Service Station	Independent
Address	Elizabeth Drive
Suburb	Liverpool
Average Price for month	84.8

Melbourne

Service Station	United
Address	Somerton Road
Suburb	Somerton
Average Price for month	85.3

Adelaide

Service Station	Liberty
Address	Main North Road
Suburb	Pooraka
Average Price for month	87.3

Perth

Service Station	Independent
Address	corner Rockingham Road and Lee Road
Suburb	Naval Base
Average Price for month	88.1

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