Survey Finds Fuel Prices Driving U.K. Motorists’ Choices

A survey of U.K. motorists finds the soaring price of fuel has them planning to keep their vehicles longer and to drive less.

British Car Auctions says the findings coincide with a new report predicting the cost of a tank of gasoline could reach £100 ($160) by 2015.

Focus ECOnetic rated at 83.1 mpg.

The auction house’s latest survey of 4,000 motorists shows half of respondents feel rising fuel costs eventually will force them to change to a more fuel-efficient car or alter their driving habits.

About one-fifth of respondents reached that point when fuel hit £1.30 a liter ($7.90 a gallon), and another 15% will be in a similar position when the price reaches £1.50 a liter ($9.13 a gallon).

“Our research shows that fuel consumption remains the top priority for motorists, with 27% saying they will be looking for better fuel economy on their next vehicle,” says Tim Naylor of BCA.

“With fuel prices expected to keep on climbing, we anticipate the current motoring trends to continue. For instance, the number of 2-car households has fallen by 5% in the last 12 months, as people look at ways to save.”

Naylor says if the latest predictions are realized, the used-car market is going to experience surging demand for smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, as families continue to downsize in efforts to stretch their budgets further.

“We are already seeing demand for these cars outstrip supply, which means rising prices for low-mileage, good-quality stock,” he says.

“With rising costs hitting households from every side and many wages frozen, it’s no wonder that two out of five motorists would like to see a cut in fuel duty.

But rather than waiting for that unlikely change, car owners are changing how often they drive, as well as what they drive, in a bid to combat costs.”

The report was produced for British Car Auctions by Peter Cooke and the automotive group at the Center for Automotive Management at the University of Buckingham.