Keeping the Wheels Turning: The Rising Cost of Fuel
Rising fuel costs are affecting everyone, whether you drive or not.
In 2025, 1.53 billion tonnes of goods were lifted by GB-registered HGVs operating in the UK, covering a staggering 11.8 billion miles.
As you can imagine, rising fuel costs are putting massive pressure on anyone who relies on vehicles for work. From taxis and buses to emergency services and, of course, the haulage industry, the impact is being felt right across the board.
For those working in haulage, they can't simply wait for fuel prices to come down. The wheels have to keep turning.
But for a moment, imagine if they didn't.
If the haulage industry stopped for just 24 hours, supermarket shelves would quickly start to empty, medical supplies wouldn't arrive where they were needed, building materials wouldn't be delivered and industries across the country would begin to grind to a halt.
That's just how important haulage is.
Yet behind those trucks are people trying to keep their businesses going while facing increasingly difficult decisions.
Speaking to several owner-operators, I've heard first-hand how close to breaking point some are feeling. They're working longer hours, pushing themselves to their limits and sacrificing time with their families, all while watching fuel costs and other expenses continue to rise.
So what are their options?
Do they work more hours, putting even greater pressure on their health and wellbeing?
Do they take part of their fleet off the road, potentially putting existing contracts at risk and making it harder to secure new business?
Or do they simply carry on and absorb the additional costs?
Unfortunately, for many, absorbing the costs feels like the only realistic option. They can't afford to risk losing the businesses they've spent years building, businesses that, in some cases, have been passed down through generations.
And while strikes would undoubtedly make a much bigger statement and put pressure on the wider economy, the haulage industry isn't in the same position as many other sectors. Operators have to consider the implications for their Operator's Licence, meaning industrial action isn't a straightforward option.
It leaves many hauliers feeling as though they've been backed into a corner, with very few choices left.
But is that really fair?
These are the people who have kept the country moving for years. They kept delivering throughout the pandemic when much of the country came to a standstill. They've missed family time, sacrificed weekends and downtime, and spent countless hours on the road, often having to make do with poor facilities.
And now they're facing yet another round of rising costs and uncertainty.
The conversations I've had with owner-operators have been particularly worrying. Many are working themselves into the ground simply to keep their businesses afloat. The rising cost of fuel, along with other taxes and operating costs, is hitting hard.
But what other choice do they have?
Recent figures show the fuel market has risen significantly since the beginning of July now at 38p per litre more, adding even more pressure to businesses already struggling with increased operating costs. Yet many within the industry feel that the issue still isn't being treated with the urgency it deserves.
We've seen initiatives such as Andy Burnham's £2 bus fares receive plenty of attention, but the reality is that public transport simply isn't an option for everyone. For those working in haulage, driving is their job, there isn't an alternative route to work.
So, what will it take for something to change?
Passing increased costs on to customers is one possible solution, but that creates another problem. Ultimately, those costs have to go somewhere. Hauliers increase their prices, customers face higher bills, and businesses may start looking for cheaper alternatives.
There is also the danger of operators undercutting each other to win work, creating a race to the bottom that could be incredibly difficult for the industry to recover from.
And ultimately, the increased cost of transporting goods will filter down to consumers, pushing up the price of products at a time when many households are already struggling with the cost of living.
There are no easy answers.
But surely there needs to be more support for an industry that plays such a fundamental role in keeping the country running.
Hauliers don't have the luxury of simply parking up and waiting for things to improve. They have deliveries to make, businesses to run and customers who rely on them.
They've kept the wheels turning for generations.
Now, they need someone to recognise just how difficult it is becoming to keep them turning. Time to put people over profits and take action.
You can help support hauliers by signing the following petition https://c.org/GytqSfckKW
#fuelcrisis #haulageindustry #hgv #hgvindustry #support #supporthaulage #fuel #fuelprices #andyburnham #showsupport
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