Fuel prices are forcing a change in habits

Friday, 12 October 2018

Kiwis are looking for alternative forms of transport as petrol prices reach record highs.

If you're searching for an electric vehicle (EV), bike, or a scooter to outrun rising fuel prices, you're not alone.

Trade Me has marked a staggering 252 per cent jump in users scouring the online auction site for electric vehicles compared to last year, while electric bike searches have also jumped 40 per cent over the past seven days.

The Automobile Association has also witnessed a surge in interest for electric vehicles - a trend mirrored at a Lower Hutt electric car company which has a sales jump of at least 20 per cent.

Francis Homer of Berhampore has put plans to buy a car on hold due to petrol prices, opting to bus.

It comes as Wellingtonians and South Islanders were singled out as feeling the most pain at the pump, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pledges to bring in legislation to compel fuel retailers to produce margin details through the Commerce Commission.

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Petrol prices, at Shell on Taranaki Street in Wellington.

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Petrol prices, BP, Berhampore in Wellington on Friday.

With noted economist Shamubeel Eaqub predicting more hefty price rises were likely, New Zealanders were now considering ways to reduce their petrol consumption.

Among the options available was the use of more cost-effective and green alternatives, sparking a flurry of activity on Trade Me.

'With rising petrol prices and we've seen a huge number of searches for electric vehicles, scooters and bikes,' spokeswoman Millie Silvester said.

Over the past seven days, people searched Trade Me 41,500 times for electric cars, 43,800 for electric bikes and 75,800 for scooters.

'This could be because EVs are making their way into mainstream purchasing, but we also think rising petrol prices are playing a big part too.'

Lower Hutt GVI Electric manager Daniel Kreven said they had an increase of at least 20 per cent in their sales of electric cars this week.

He said that if customers continued looking for EVs, he would need more cars and more employees to keep up with the demand.

'Usually all main sales are in the weekend and we already achieved our usual sale numbers on Friday.'

ReBicyle coordinator Tessa Coppard also sees an increase of people looking for bicycles or e-bikes.

'They are really hungry for alternatives and bikes are much more reliable.'

BUY A CAR? YEAH, NAH

Record-high fuel boards threw up a quandary for actor Francis Homer.

But after walking past a Newtown petrol station selling 91 octane for $2.47 a litre, his decision to invest in a bike over a car provided him with clear vindication.

'For some time, I was saving money to buy a car, but gave up few weeks ago. What is the point [of having a] car if I will be struggling with the price of petrol?

'I prefer to walk or bussing with no worries,' Homes said.

He said if fuel prices drop, it won't change his mind.

Information technology student Linus Go drives from Waterloo to Victoria University every day.

His antidote to petrol price pain was to set up a carpool, spreading the high cost of petrol amongst his friends.

'In the begin of the year, I paid $2.15 for petrol and now the price increased in a way that is really hard to a student afford,' he said.

Broadmeadows pet-sitter Lorraine Chin swapped her sports car for an e-bike.

She was spending $85 a fortnight to fill her fuel tank and believed that in few months she would recover the money she spent on the electrical bike.

'It made economic sense to get an e-bike and the bonus is I get to exercise,' Chin said.

TRIMMING BACK YOUR FUEL BILL

While the availability of alternatives to fuel-powered vehicles were becoming more commonplace, for some, ditching the car was simply not a viable option.

But all was not lost, with AA motoring advisor Cade Wilson offering the following tips to help keep more money in your pocket.

Washing your car regularly: 'Won't just make it sparkle in the sun - it'll also streamline your ride and helps with the aerodynamic.'
Drive more smoothly: 'Keep the speed limit.
Avoid constantly accelerating and hard braking.'Regular servicing on the car: 'Maintaining the recommended tyre pressures and correct wheel alignment also contribute to potential cost savings.'
Don't overdo the air con: 'Keep the windows down'
Take the unnecessary weight: 'Heavy boxes on the car trunk or surfboard on the roof makes the car heavy and, consequently, spend more petrol.'