THE WAR in the Middle East has been quick to reach Britain’s shores. Within two weeks of bombs dropping on Tehran, the average price of petrol at forecourts rose by 8p to £1.40 ($1.90) a litre, the highest for 18 months. The price of diesel—which fuels 40% of vehicles in Britain—rose by 17p to £1.59 a litre. Cue a chorus of calls for the government to come to stricken motorists’ aid. Yet by The Economist’s calculations, it has rarely been cheaper to drive.
