OPERATORS of a busy North East service station have revealed why fuel costs more on the motorway than at the supermarkets or on the high street.

It is no secret that filling up at roadside services will cost drivers considerably more than refuelling at big brand petrol stations on the high street, but one motorway station has revealed why their fuel costs so much more.

Moto, which runs Washington Service Station on the A1(M) and many others across the country, has lifted the lid on their high petrol prices.

A spokesperson for Moto told The Northern Echo: “The fuel price includes several elements, including oil price and taxation. Fuel prices at motorway service areas reflect a number of factors.

“We do not sell the volumes that supermarkets do and therefore do not get the same discounts they do.

Read more: BP garage at Washington Services on A1(M) charging more than £2 per litre

“Additionally, unlike supermarkets and local petrol stations, motorway service areas have to deliver a number of services 24/7.

“These include toilets, showers, hot and cold food and beverages, parking and the convenience of not having to leave a motorway to get fuel.

“The need to meet these costs means there will always be a pricing differential.”

Read more: Cost of living: Tips to make your fuel last longer as petrol prices hit new high

On Tuesday (June 7) BP at Washington Services was spotted charging 202.9p per litre for petrol and 204.9p per litre for diesel, 30p more than Sainsbury’s at The Galleries, Washington where petrol cost 172.9p and 179.9p for diesel.

Further down the A1(M) at Newton Park services, unleaded was just 170.9p per litre, according to PetrolPrices.

A Moto spokesperson added: “It has been our ambition to find a way of lowering motorway fuel prices sustainably and to make a significant difference to what motorists pay on motorways.

“We are currently looking to achieve this with our digital fuel sign roll out which will enable us to cut prices by 15p a litre, bringing us in line with the high street.

“Digital fuel signage roll-out is in progress for Moto Hospitality sites at Leigh Delamere North and South and Lancaster North and South. Moto plans to roll the signage out to all sites across the UK in future.”

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