Courier Fuel Costs UK 2026
Fuel is the single biggest variable cost for most UK couriers. In 2026, diesel averages around 148p/litre and petrol around 143p/litre. A van courier doing 30,000 miles per year can spend £5,000–£8,000 on fuel alone — tracking and controlling this cost is essential.
Estimated Annual Fuel Costs by Mileage
15,000 miles/year (part-time van): £2,500–£4,000. 25,000 miles/year (full-time van): £4,200–£6,500. 40,000 miles/year (high-mileage owner-driver): £6,500–£10,000. E-bike/electric scooter food delivery: £200–£600/year for charging.
HMRC Mileage Allowance vs Actual Costs
You can claim the HMRC approved mileage rate (45p/mile for first 10,000 miles, 25p/mile after) instead of actual fuel costs. For a full-time courier doing 30,000 miles this gives a deduction of £8,000 (10k × 45p + 20k × 25p) — often larger than actual fuel spend, making this the preferred method.
How to Reduce Your Fuel Bill
Maintain correct tyre pressure (under-inflated tyres increase fuel use by 3–8%). Use a fuel cashback card. Plan routes to minimise dead miles between drops. Consider switching to an LPG-converted van for routes over 30,000 miles/year — LPG is typically 30–40% cheaper than diesel.
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