RAC Data Downloader

General Use Guidelines

This script is designed to download historical data from the RAC Foundation website, allowing the user to add/remove required datasets by updating RAC_API_Sheet.csv sheet.

How to Run

Execute the rac_datadownload.py file via the command line to start the data collection process. This script generates individual CSV files for each API key provided and compiles an Excel (.xlsx) file with all information allocated to separate sheets.

Before running the program, ensure you meet the basic requirements to ensure its correct execution. If you are not using an IDE like Jupyter or VSCode, then remember to install Python 3.9 or higher first. Run the .py file in your terminal to start the process, assuming you meet the requirements listed below.

Requirements

• RAC_API_Sheet.csv: This file must be located in the same directory as the .py file. It contains the current API keys, data descriptions, and source information.

• Customization: You can adjust the description and source information within RAC_API_Sheet.csv to suit your needs, provided a valid API key is used. The default values are accurate as of publishing but may need updating if the RAC Foundation changes their web links.

• Modifying Data Categories: To exclude a dataset from the download list, simply delete its row from RAC_API_Sheet.csv.

• Excel Sheet Names: Correspond to the descriptions found in RAC_API_Sheet.csv.

• CSV File Naming: The data source from RAC_API_Sheet.csv precedes the description in the filename, separated by an underscore (_), e.g., RAC_FuelPrice.csv.

Data Categories Available

• FuelPumpPrice
• WholesaleFuel
• MotoringCost
• TravelCost
• EUDieselPrice
• EUPetrolPrice
• UKFuelConsumption
• FuelDutyMonthly
• FuelDutyAnnual
• UKVehicleTax
• UKPumpPriceTax
• UKTotalEVs
• UKTopTenEVs
• OilMarketPrice
• GreenFleetIndex
• FillingUpCost

Installation Commands

pip install pandas
pip install openpyxl
pip install xlsxwriter
pip install httpx
pip install backoff

Libraries used within RAC data downloader:

import asyncio
import os
import sys
from timeit import default_timer as timer
import httpx
import pandas as pd
from backoff import on_exception, expo