Most of us will openly admit that our cars are very important to our daily lives. They are useful in getting to work, as well as errand running and even as part of the work itself.
With rising prices in relation to both petrol and car insurance, many of us are now taking the decision to leave our vehicles at home. As many of us rework our finances and attempt to cut back on luxuries in order to make ends meet, the decision to run vehicles has become of paramount importance to households.
A study carried out by a leading money advice website has shown that around a quarter of motorists now use their car less due to rising costs of running and maintaining their cars. Over 3 quarters of those surveyed cited rising petrol prices as the main reason for being put off driving more, with prices for unleaded now averaging £1.07 per litre across the country (although it varies by region).
But with the price of the average car insurance quote also rising as a result of the credit crunch, many of us are now opting for using public transport or bicycles in order to get around. Whilst this may seem good news for cycle manufacturers and green campaigners, manufacturers and car insurance companies could face tough times if the trend continues.
With the ongoing credit crunch having an impact on all aspects of the financial market, cheap car insurance runs the risk of becoming a thing of the past, with the average fully-comp policy coming in at around £630.
It's not just motorists who are feeling the strain of the credit crunch, the motor industry has seen dropping sales. And as more of us are turning to bicycles in order to help us get from A to B, the future doesn’t look promising for many manufacturers.
So what can be done to solve these problems?
The first thing motorists can do to combat these rising costs is to use smaller and more efficient cars. Volkswagen’s Polo, Nissan’s Micra and Ford’s Fiesta are all examples of what the car industry calls a ‘supermini’. This class of vehicles is renowned for its fuel efficiency without compromising on comfort.
Hybrids such as Toyota’s Prius, for example, are another way of saving money at the petrol pump. These types of vehicle use a combination electric/diesel engine to help reduce emissions and save fuel. The main problem with them is that they are often unaffordable to the average motorist and have not yet been mass produced enough to bring down the cost.
Switching to diesel is yet another way to save money. Small diesel engines (often in the 1.2 – 1.4 litre range) have the potential to achieve efficiencies of up to 40 MPG, for example.
Motorists should also ensure that their tyres are fully filled. A tyre which isn’t fully filled is not just a safety hazard but a hazard to your wallet as well. It reduces the distance you can go on a full tank, meaning you not only spend more at the pumps but you also end up harming the environment more as well.
What about the long term?
The declining supply of oil will inevitably force the motor industry to change. New technologies such as hydrogen powered fuel cells will lead its reinvention, helping to rejuvenate the industry and bring its revenues back up once again.
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