DRIVERS across the UK have been struggling to fill up their cars as panic buying has caused long queues at the pumps and station closures.
If you need petrol today, this might mean that your usual service station is closed for business and you have to drive further to get what you need.
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Experts have estimated that up to 90% of pumps in some areas around the country are dry.
Although there is plenty of fuel, the crisis has been caused by a shortage of HGV drivers to transport it to stations.
It comes as soldiers could be brought in to deliver fuel as more than half of stations run out of fuel and fights break out on forecourts.
Meanwhile, drivers have accused petrol stations of ramping up prices to up to £1.54 a litre to take advantage of panicked motorists.
The government has also torn up competition rules so that oil firms can more easily target areas most in need of fuel across the country.
But a statement by Shell, ExxonMobile and other industry bodies insisted there is no “national shortage of fuel” and that issues are instead evolving from “temporary spikes in customer demand”.
But Boris Johnson said last night that the situation is “stabilising” as Britain’s roads start moving again.
Here’s everything you need to know including where you can fill up:
Why are petrol stations closing?
Industry experts have said that there is no shortage of petrol, but there have been problems with a lack of lorry drivers to get it to the right place.
Panic buying has exacerbated things, with many petrol stations reporting long queues as everybody rushes to top up their tanks.
Some have been unable to keep up with the unexpected demand and have been forced to shut temporarily while they wait for deliveries.
Full closures seem to be rare, but several supermarket and service station bosses have reported that they are running out of specific types of fuel in between new deliveries.
One petrol station manager told 5Live Breakfast: “At least once a week now, we’re having to switch diesel or unleaded off. It’s an issue, but it’s not an issue from our fuel suppliers because there’s plenty of fuel out there.”
Drivers have been urged not to stockpile fuel, as it will only cause more widespread closures, and could have more severe consequences if emergency services workers are stuck in long queues or unable to get petrol when it’s needed.
For example, volunteers who deliver vital blood products to hospitals for the NHS have been unable to go out on runs because of the problem.
Reports have been circulating that key workers will be prioritised when getting to pumps first.
But currently there is no government guidance that has been issued on this – including who might qualify to get first access to fuel.
Initially, experts predicted the crisis would only last for a matter of days if drivers stopped panic buying fuel.
However, Boris Johnson warned disruption could last beyond Christmas last night – but insisted the situation was “stabilising”.
? Read our petrol crisis live blog for live updates on the crisis
It comes as…
Where can I get petrol today?
Although there are lots of reports around shortages, the majority of petrols stations are open.
If you need fuel urgently, check online reports to scope out which of your nearest is still operating.
One of the biggest forecourt operators has placed a £30 maximum at all of its pumps to make sure it can keep customers on the road.
This means that if you live near one of EG Group’s 367 petrol stations, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to fill up, even if you can’t get a full tank.
EG Group, runs petrol stations under well-known brand names such as BP, Esso, Shell and Texaco.
We have the full list of locations operating the £30 limit – which might be a good place to start if you need petrol or diesel today.
Bear in mind you might have to drive a little further afield or wait in a long queue to fill up.
If you’ve got petrol in the tank and shouldn’t need a top up, then experts are suggesting that you wait until the panic has passed.
Police are also asking people not to join long queues unless necessary to avoid causing problems for emergency services.
Lincolnshire Police said: “While we appreciate that some people may be particularly keen to fill up their vehicles this weekend, we would respectfully ask motorists to be sensible when making judgements about joining a queue at a petrol station.
“If it is too long, consider returning at a different time.”
Which petrol stations are shut?
There’s no definitive record of all the stations that are shut, and the list keeps changing as forecourts reopen once new deliveries arrive.
Reports of closures are limited meaning that the majority of stations should still have petrol available.
Major supermarkets including Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have all said that they’re not facing fuel shortages, despite the increasing demand.
On Thursday, BP said that it had closed just 20 of its 1,200 petrol stations because they had run out of fuel. Between 50 and 100 sites have also been affected by the loss of at least one grade of fuel.
Meanwhile, ExxonMobil has said that a small number of Tesco petrol stations are affected.
Drivers have also been complaining on Twitter that shops including Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have run out of fuel.
One furious driver claimed that many petrol stations in Derbyshire “ran out” of fuel over the weekend including Asda and Tesco.
While another claimed: “We have 9 or 10 petrol stations nearby – BP, Shell, Texaco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco…all empty.”
To find out if a petrol station near you is shut, search online and check social media to see if anyone else is reporting an issue.
Brawl breaks out at petrol station forecourt as tension flare over fuel shortage fears
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