Device that can put an end to misfuelling

Phil Cartwright has spent three years perfecting FuelSure, which is manufactured in Huddersfield and can be used on over 80 per cent of diesel cars and light commercial vehicles on UK roads.

The motoring organisation says that the device is now ready for worldwide sales to stop the mistake made by more than 400 drivers every day. A recent study by the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) found that of the 150,000 misfuelling cases per year, 95 per cent are caused by drivers putting petrol into their diesel vehicles due to the wider diesel filler neck and narrower unleaded nozzle.

FuelSure, which costs 29.95, prevents the insertion of the smaller diameter petrol pump nozzle and removes the need to screw and unscrew the existing fuel cap.

The RAC believes the device has the potential to help the 11.4 million diesel drivers in the UK.

It says that every three-and-a-half minutes a motorist misfuels, generating approximately 7.5 million litres of contaminated fuel annually and costing drivers anything from 300 to over 5000 for individual repairs.

Mr Cartwright said: "I set out to design a solution that was tough, foolproof, easy-to-use and replaced the normal fuel cap, and am extremely satisfied with the result.

"After careful evaluation, technical experts at RAC agree it's the only product that comes complete with a range of filler neck adaptors in the pack, fits over 80 per cent of cars and light commercial vehicles on UK roads, and can easily be fitted by anyone in a matter of seconds."

Gary Wrightson-Heyworth, RAC technical service development manager, added: "FuelSure is a truly innovative product. It differs from similar products available as it physically prevents misfuelling – you need to have the diesel nozzle in your hand to remove the fuel cap.

"RAC fully supports this device and we are currently in the process of rolling it out to all of our roadside patrols and recovery specialists to make it available to our members."