Over half of Northern Ireland drivers are cutting back on household spending, including food and heating, in a bid to cope with rising fuel prices, new research has found.
Skyrocketing petrol and diesel costs are heaping further pressure on cash-strapped motorists across Co
Derry and further afield, with many struggling households reportedly trimming their weekly shopping budgets to keep their car on the road.
The fuel crisis has also led to widespread changes in driving habits, as motorists look for ways to stretch their fuel as far as possible.
It comes after fuel protests took place across Northern Ireland this week, led by farmers and haulage workers who face plummeting profit margins and soaring operating costs, with calls for the Government to intervene to bring costs down.
Fuel prices in Northern Ireland have risen sharply since the start of the conflict in Iran, with petrol climbing from 124.8p on February 26 to 153.1p on April 9. Diesel has seen an even steeper rise, up from 132.6p to 185.6p during the same period.
As the fuel crisis continues, CompareNI has investigated how drivers here are adapting to the sustained increases at the pumps.
In a survey of 800 drivers in Northern Ireland, almost two-thirds (63%) said they are cutting back on non-essential trips, while nearly three-quarters (72%) say they are driving more efficiently or cautiously to use less fuel.
The findings also indicate drivers are becoming more open to switching to electric vehicles, with over a quarter (28%) of drivers considering making the change in a bid to avoid high fuel costs.
Surging fuel costs are also having a severe impact on household budgets, with over half (55%) of respondents admitting they have been forced to tighten their belts to keep their car running.
Around 40% have curbed spending on eating out and takeaways, 18% on holidays, and 14% on entertainment such as subscription services.
But it is not just luxury spending that people are scaling back, almost a fifth (17%) of drivers said they have had to cut back on groceries, while 11% have reduced spending on utilities such as gas and electric.
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “With fuel prices continuing to soar, households are having to making difficult choices as they struggle to cover the cost of everyday essentials.
“Almost two-thirds of drivers here are taking measures to trim their household bills, such as cutting back on groceries, heating their home less, or getting rid of subscription services.
“While there may be no end in sight to the fuel crisis, there are some simple steps drivers can take to help stretch their budgets further and take some of the pressure off.
“Small changes such as avoiding unnecessary idling, regular servicing and checking tyre pressure can add up over time and help motorists reduce their fuel bills.”
Five fuel saving tips:
Change gears early
Shifting into the highest possible gear keeps the revs low, which saves fuel. For example, driving at 40mph in third gear can consume 25% more fuel than in fifth.
Avoid idling
Drivers shouldn’t leave the engine running while they’ve stopped as it wastes fuel. Idling for just 10 minutes a day can waste up to 60 gallons of fuel, while restarting the engine only uses a fraction of that.
Remove excess weight
Roof boxes and bike racks increase aerodynamic drag, so removing them when not in use will improve fuel efficiency. For example, a roof box typically adds around 22% to fuel consumption at 62mph.
Regular maintenance
While it may seem costly to regularly service the car, it can save money in the long run as the vehicle will be more fuel efficient. Without basic maintenance to keep the car in a safe and roadworthy condition, drivers could also void their car insurance, leaving them unprotected and at risk of financial penalties.
Check tyre pressure
Keeping tyres at the recommended pressure is one of the most effective ways to cut fuel costs. Underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance, which means that the engine has to work harder and uses more fuel.
CompareNI.com helps hundreds of thousands of drivers every year find savings on essentials such as car insurance.
