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elephant.co.uk polled motorists to discover the current attitudes of road users to the rising cost of fuel. The online insurer discovered that:
- 56% of motorists plan to drive less if the cost of fuel continues to rise
- 57% of motorists will buy a car with a smaller engine if the cost of fuel continues to rise
- 64% said the current cost of petrol is discouraging them to take a holiday in the UK
- 69% now drive further than they did last year to find cheaper petrol
Managing director at elephant.co.uk, Ceri Assiratti, commented on the results: "The rising cost of petrol is hitting everyone, not just farmers and hauliers. Our research shows just how much it could affect regular motorists and even the British tourist industry.
"If fuel duty isn't reduced then we could end up with less cars on the road."
elephant.co.uk's poll revealed the average amount spent by motorists each month on petrol is £77 and the most popular place to buy it is at supermarket petrol stations. 53% said they usually buy their petrol at the supermarket while 27% said they bought it from a petrol company chain station, such as BP or Shell. Only 3% said they bought it from an independent garage, once the most popular place to buy fuel.
17% of the motorists questioned said they just go to the nearest place whenever they need petrol. This statistic was backed up by the 69% who said they now drive further to find cheaper fuel.
Ceri Assiratti said: "Petrol is now a major monthly outgoing for most people, as much any other utility, so it's no surprise that most motorists will drive further to save money. It's similar to the way people will change Gas or Electricity companies to lower their bills."
Issue date: 15/11/2005
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