Honda IMA drivers, whose numbers are approaching 2,000, are enjoying motoring costs from over a decade ago.

The Civic IMA, with its petrol electric engine delivers diesel fuel economy, but at petrol prices, returning 57.8mpg.

Unleaded petrol would need to drop to 50p a litre – a price last seen in July 1994 – for a standard 1.6 petrol hatchback with a combined mpg of 35.3, to deliver the same cost per mile as an IMA over the standard 3 year 60,000 mile period.

Fuel savings are set to rise over the coming months as some forecasters predict 90p per litre becoming a widespread reality before the end of the year.