But with summer being the driving season, there will be higher petrol consumption.

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And with a petrol consumption of 67mpg, few cars can match its fuel-efficiency.

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That would be enough to replace one-tenth of the world's petrol consumption.

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Moreover, the price of oil usually falls in the autumn, after the summer surge in petrol consumption has abated but before winter brings higher demand for heating oil.

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Reducing America's petrol consumption by 20% by 2017, a target he announced in the state-of-the-union address, would certainly diminish the country's dependence on Middle Eastern oil, but the way he plans to go about it may not be either efficient or clean.

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The country's oil refineries may begin producing petrol for domestic consumption within the next few days, which would reduce the long queues for fuel.

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But the focus is now on smart cards, which would ration subsidised petrol to a few litres a week, with excess consumption being paid for at the cost of imports.

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The spokesman said unleaded petrol and diesel supplies, which account for 95% of consumption, would be unaffected.

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