MOTORING experts at Select Car Leasing have issued some ‘tidy’ driving advice to the stars of TV’s Gavin and Stacey – which could save them a fortune this Xmas.
The on-again, off-again couple (played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page) are back on screens for an emotional festive special, which airs on Christmas day, BBC One, at 9pm.
Fans might finally get answers to that epic cliffhanger: will Nessa (aka actress Ruth Jones) accept the proposal from Smithy (played by James Corden)?
The long-running show is based on a long-distance relationship – and now experts have revealed the true price of that love when it comes to fuel!
Back in 2007, when Gavin was zipping between Billericay, Essex, and Barry Island, South Wales, to woo Stacey, petrol prices were the least of his worries. Fast forward to 2024, and the cost of those 206 miles has changed almost as much as Smithy’s waistline after one too many Christmas dinners.
Here’s how it breaks down, because Bryn isn’t the only one who loves a good stat!
Gavin’s Romantic Rides (206 miles, one way)
- Then (2007): In his trusty 1999 Citroën Saxo (43 miles per gallon), Gavin spent £20.84 per journey. This is based on the average cost of fuel in May 2007, which was around 95p.
- Now (2024): Fuelling his Saxo in today’s world would cost £31.64, making three Christmas trips a cool £94.92. Since 2007, the average cost of unleaded fuel has increased by 37p to an average of 134p a litre, at the time of writing.
- Eco-Switch: What if Gav swapped his petrol-powered Saxo for one of Citroen’s electric vehicles instead? The Citroen e-C4 is compact EV hatchback with a range of around 260 miles between charges, which is more than enough for a trip between Essex and South Wales. The e-C4 has an efficiency of 4.4 miles per kWh. And if Gav was charging his EV at home at the energy price cap rate of 24p per kWh, his 206-mile relationship road trip would set him back around £11.47p – around a third of the price of fuelling his Saxo! If Gavin – like most EV owners – used an off-peak tariff, where the rate can drop to around 7p per kWh, he’d spent just £3 quid per trip.
Smithy’s Voluminous Volvo Adventures
- Then (2007): Smithy’s 1996 Volvo 850 chugged its way to Barry for £29.89.
- Now (2024): With fuel prices rising, it’d set him back £45.38 for the same trip.
- Electric Vibes: A Volvo EX90 would shrink that to just £17.21, leaving him more cash for takeaway pizzas. This cost is based on the current average cost of electricity per kWh (25p) but it could cost as little as £5.13 on off-peak rates (7p). The Volvo’s peak mileage on a full charge is around 370 miles.
Bryn’s Barry Island Bustle
- Then (2007): Bryn’s iconic Citroën Xsara Picasso was a fuel-efficient champion at £20.84 per journey.
- Now (2024): Filling the same tank would hit £31.64.
And Let’s Not Forget Dave the Coach Driver!
Dave, our unsung hero, drove the gang in his hefty Mercedes-Benz 814 D back in the day for £44.81. Today, the same journey would cost £68.04, though an electric e-Sprinter would slash that to £16.10.
While not a coach specifically, a similar size van, the six-seater Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, would cost £18.30 for a full charge based on the average energy price (25p per kWh). On an off-peak rate of 7p, it would cost £5.32 to charge the van. It has a battery range of 219 miles so Dave could do the full trip without recharging.
Alternative Routes: Train or Uber?
- By Train: A one-way ticket comes in at £52.50, which makes it a solid option for eco-friendly lovebirds.
- By Uber: Feeling fancy? Get ready to shell out £349 per ride—and pray the driver knows the way to Barry Island!
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing commented:
The enduring charm of Gavin and Stacey reminds us how far we’ll go for love—literally! The cost of those iconic road trips from Essex to Barry Island highlights just how much fuel prices have changed since the series began. But with modern, fuel-efficient vehicles and electric cars now more accessible than ever, you can save money and reduce your carbon footprint—without compromising on the important journeys, like seeing the ones you love.”
