This'll be a mess: Minimum buy to fight fuel panic

[milanbenes]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4236676.stm

Motorists may have to make a "minimum purchase" at petrol pumps to prevent panic-buying in the event of refinery blockades, fuel retailers have warned.

Milan.

[tim123]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4236676.stm

Motorists may have to make a "minimum purchase" at petrol pumps to prevent panic-buying in the event of refinery blockades, fuel retailers have warned.

Milan.

I don't get it, How does this work then?

And assuming that the limit is more than 5 litres (which IMHO would be pointless) what does a moped rider do with the rest?

tim

[milanbenes]

Tim,

I conclude when these spin doctors use their new term "minimum purchase" they actually mean QUOTA

Milan.

[The Late, Great JC]

Tim,

I conclude when these spin doctors use their new term "minimum purchase" they actually mean QUOTA

Milan.

Surely it is meant to deter people from topping off their tank after every journey...

[tim123]

Surely it is meant to deter people from topping off their tank after every journey...

I still don't see how it makes a limited supply last longer.

I can see that it makes the queues shorter, but I doubt that this is something that would bother even the most nanniest state.

tim

[OwlHoot]

Surely it is meant to deter people from topping off their tank after every journey...

Maybe now is a good time to consider buying shares in jerry can manufacturing companies.

Left-wing MPs and tree-huggers must be longing for petrol shortages to start - People like that get a stiffie at the prospect of rationing, and state micromanagement. For them it's just like the good old days of the early post-war austerity years.

[DimPrawn]

FFS just ban all personal transport. Done and dusted.

We can all then use the freely available public transport systems and not have to worry about traffic jams, emissions etc.

After all no one actually needs a car, we're all just too lazy to hop on the bus that will whizz us to any destination we might desire for a few pence.

[OwlHoot]

I still don't see how it makes a limited supply last longer.

I can see that it makes the queues shorter, but I doubt that this is something that would bother even the most nanniest state.

tim

By and large you're correct; but I suppose it does reduce the average fullness of vehicle tanks, and thereby stretches out a finite supply, which is a worthwhile aim if the shortage is only temporary.

[threaded]

OwlHoot: But I thought most people only put in a £10 or £20 worth. Not many, apart from long distance commuters actually fill their tank. So these people will actually end up buying more petrol if they have to buy a minimum of £25 ...

[swamp]

I have to return my courtesy car to Audi with "just over 1/4 tank".