etyres, the UK’s leading online tyre company, is backing the national FairFuelUK campaign, led by prominent motoring expert Quentin Willson, as petrol and diesel prices reached record heights in March 2011.

With the prices set to soar even higher in April following a second VAT hike so far this year, the online tyre company has added its support to the campaign.

Tony Bowman, managing director of etyres, said: “We applaud Quentin Willson and the campaign efforts to urge the government to put the brakes on the next increase in fuel duty and to commit to keeping prices down in the future.

“But in the meantime, motorists are still feeling the increasing financial pain of filling up at the pumps because they are not getting as many miles for their money.

“It’s also important to remember that under-inflated tyres cause higher fuel consumption as the tyres have an increased rolling resistance, which means that the engine has to work harder and more fuel is used, making the car less economical.”

The average price for petrol currently stands at a record 1.32 pounds Sterling for a litre, with diesel at 1.37 pounds. A rise in fuel duty due in April could see prices rise by another 5p per litre.

The French government has told motorists to make sure their tyres were properly inflated and to cut their speed after ruling out a reduction in fuel taxes.

However, the FairFuelUK campaign is continuing to gather political momentum in the run up to the UK Budget on March 23 2011 with at least 135 MPs backing the cause.

Now as the deadline for the Governments announcement on fuel tax speeds closer, motorists who want to support the campaign can go to FairFuelUK’s website and sign the online petition.

About etyres:

Launched in 1997, etyres is the UK’s first online tyres retailer. It operates a mobile fitting service, which means customers can have their tyres fitted at a location of their choice – either at their home or place of work.  Its low overheads mean the price customers pay is always low – up to 40% cheaper than the leading high street tyre depots on a wide range of tyres, from premium to budget brands.

etyres sells a number of different tyres in the UK including Continental tyres, caravan tyres, motorhome tyres, trailer tyres and 4×4 car tyres as well as providing tyres all over the UK.