In a statement yesterday, the AA said that fast-rising European wholesale petrol prices combined with the 1 April increase in fuel duty could push UK average pump prices above the July 2008 record. In response, it has called upon the UK Government to investigate the sudden surge in petrol wholesale prices and to freeze the fuel duty increase.

However, in response, TMC has said that cutting driver mileage by just 15 miles per week could offset the threat of record fuel prices.

Paul Jackson, managing director of the mileage capture and fuel cost management specialist, said: 'While the prospect of fuel prices reaching new record highs over the coming months is daunting, fleets can counter the impact very effectively with careful mileage management.

'If diesel goes to over £1.20, it would only take a reduction of 15 business miles per week per driver to bring the overall fleet fuel bill back to where it was at the start of the year. For drivers who cover thousands of miles a year that is a very achievable target.'

In fact, managing mileage rather than focusing on pump prices or cars' fuel efficiency is a fleet's best line of defence against soaring pump prices, said Mr Jackson.

'In contrast, it is not easy to negotiate meaningful discounts on pump prices, even if you have a large fleet. A 2p per litre saving will only recoup a quarter of the coming price increase. Improving fuel economy is a good long-term strategy but squeezing an extra couple of miles out of every gallon would still only get you half way to the saving delivered by a modest reduction in weekly mileage.'