Motorists across the UK are changing how they travel and manage their household budgets as rising fuel prices make refuelling increasingly expensive.
Recent analysis shows that filling a sports utility vehicle with a 70-litre tank using unleaded petrol now costs approximately £15 more than it did two years ago. Refilling a comparable diesel vehicle costs almost £40 more.
A survey of more than 1,100 drivers conducted by DiscoverCars.com found that 51% had changed their driving or travel habits to reduce fuel expenses.
The findings also indicate that some motorists are having to choose between paying for fuel and purchasing other essential items.
Drivers Cut Unnecessary Journeys and Compare Fuel Prices
Avoiding unnecessary car journeys has become one of the most common ways motorists are reducing their fuel spending.
Two-fifths of respondents said they were making fewer unnecessary trips, while more than two-thirds reported comparing prices at nearby petrol stations before deciding where to refuel.
Around one-third have changed their driving style to improve fuel efficiency, and a quarter now combine several errands into a single journey.
The survey also found that 30% of drivers were actively using their cars less frequently.
Walking, Cycling and Public Transport Become Alternatives
Some motorists are turning to alternative transport to reduce their reliance on private vehicles.
Approximately 18% of those surveyed said they were walking shorter distances that they would previously have travelled by car. Another 14% reported using public transport more frequently, while 12% said they were cycling more often.
The number of motorists adopting cycling as an alternative comes as colder and wetter autumn and winter conditions approach.
More UK Drivers Consider Switching to Electric Vehicles
Rising fuel costs are also contributing to increased interest in electric vehicles.
The AA’s latest EV Readiness Index found that 60 out of every 100 UK drivers are now considering switching to an electric vehicle. This represents an increase from 47.5% recorded just over a year earlier.
AA president Edmund King described the findings as a turning point for the electric vehicle market, as higher running costs encourage more motorists to consider alternatives to petrol and diesel cars.
Diesel Fuel Theft Rises Faster Than Petrol Incidents
While motorists are changing their travel habits, rising fuel prices have also been linked to an increase in theft and non-payment incidents at UK petrol stations.
Data compiled by Forecourt Eye shows that diesel-related incidents increased by 21% between March and October, compared with the preceding eight months. Petrol-related incidents rose by 12% over the same period.
The volume of diesel involved in theft and incidents where drivers claimed they had no means of payment increased by 27%. This was more than three times the 8% increase recorded for petrol.
The financial value of diesel involved in these incidents rose by 60%, compared with a 27% increase for petrol. The figures reflect higher fuel prices as well as larger quantities being taken during individual visits.
Daily Fuel Crime Incidents Increase Across UK Forecourts
Forecourt Eye’s figures show that the average number of daily fuel crime incidents increased from 164 to 192 during the eight-month period, representing a rise of 17%.
The total volume of fuel involved in the incidents increased by 21%.
The company’s managing director, Michelle Henchoz, said the latest figures highlighted the growing difference between diesel and petrol incidents, alongside an increase in motorists reporting that they could not afford to pay.
She explained that previous reports had not separated petrol and diesel incidents, but the high diesel prices recorded in October prompted a closer examination of the figures.
Diesel Incidents Reached Their Highest Level in July
According to Forecourt Eye, diesel-related incidents peaked in July. The increase in fuel prices during October has so far had a limited additional impact on reported incidents.
However, the overall number of cases remains considerably higher than the average recorded before the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Henchoz said sudden increases in fuel prices could trigger more incidents, but the latest figures suggested that the effects could continue beyond the initial rise in costs.
The data indicates that diesel theft and non-payment incidents have increased more rapidly than petrol-related cases, while motorists continue to adjust their journeys and transport choices in response to higher fuel expenses.
