Fuming at the Petrol Pump

Fuming at the Petrol Pump

Kiwis quality of life impacted by the cost of fuel
Auckland, Friday 3 July- A new survey by consumer research company, Canstar Blue has lifted the petrol cap on Kiwis’ service station habits showing that 43% of New Zealanders’ quality of life is impacted by the cost of fuel.

In the same survey in 2014, 60% of people believed that fuel costs were affecting their quality of life, making for a downward trend but highlighting an ever-present problem, says Canstar New Zealand General Manager, Jose George.

“Drivers are taking measures into their own hands to try and lessen the financial effects of fuel, with 45% reducing their use of the car air conditioner, and most likely their comfort along with it to save some cash.

“New Zealanders are very conscious of how much money is being pumped out of their pockets on petrol and 64% actively monitor fuel prices so they know what to expect at the pump.”

Got an alternative?

Ten per cent of Kiwis are considering switching to a motorbike/scooter just to save money on petrol. Gen Ys are most likely to be searching for cheaper alternatives (17%) compared to Baby Boomers who are less likely to be jumping on a motorbike anytime soon (6%).

Close to a quarter (24%) of Aucklanders and just over a quarter of Wellingtonians (26%) are using more public transport than they were a year ago.

Gen Ys are also keen to get out from behind the wheel, with 32% jumping on board the train/bus/ferry as an alternative to driving in.

How far will we go for a good deal?

For well over half of New Zealanders (58%) price is more important than convenience when looking to fuel up and 34% would drive across town for cheap fuel, says George.

“Generation Ys are most likely to chase down a good deal (44%) while Baby Boomers would rather a petrol station closer to home (27%).

“When Kiwis were asked how far they have travelled to buy cheap fuel, Aucklanders came out on top at 13.3km on average while Wellingtonians estimated the least distance at 8.7km.”

Men are chasing the deals with just over a third (35%) waiting until they have a discount voucher to fuel up compared to just 28% of women.

The cost of commuting in to work is a factor for 44% of Kiwis when choosing where to live. Aucklanders factor in the cost of their commute the most at 47% while those in the Bay of Plenty are the least worried about their distance from their desk (38%).

No more beersies

Close to half of Kiwis (46%) are no longer driving to social events where they might be drinking because of the new drink driving laws, says George.

“The new laws appear to be having an effect: the numbers of those steering away from driving while drinking are similar across the generations with almost half (47%) of both Baby Boomers and Gen Ys and 43% of Gen X avoiding driving to their social events.”

The survey asked respondents to rate their service station across six variables:
1. Value for money
2. Service
3. Range of other items
4. Appearance and cleanliness
5. Facilities
6. Overall satisfaction
Service stations by region:

Auckland: Aucklanders are most likely (equal with Waikato) to consider switching to a motorbike/scooter to save money on petrol (11%), least likely to say that because of the new drink driving laws they are less likely to drive to social events where they might be drinking (43%), and most likely to say that the cost of commute is a factor in where they choose to live (47%).

Waikato: Those in the Waikato are most likely to have reduced the use of their car air conditioner to save money on petrol (50%), most likely (equal with Auckland) to consider switching to a motorbike/scooter to save money (11%), and most likely to drive across town for cheap fuel (44%).

Wellington: Wellingtonians are least likely to have reduced the use of the car air conditioner to save money on petrol (42%), least likely (equal with Canterbury) to say that the cost of fuel is impacting their lives (40%) and most likely to be using public transport more than they were a year ago (26%).

Canterbury: Cantabrians are least likely (equal with Wellington) to say that the cost of fuel is impacting their lives (40%), most likely to know which fuel is best for their car (30%), least likely to actively monitor fuel prices (54%), least likely to say that price is more important that convenience when looking to fuel up (50%) and least likely to drive across town for cheap fuel (26%).

Otago: Those in Otago are most likely to say that the cost of fuel is impacting their quality of life (50%) and least likely (equal with Bay of Plenty) to not know which fuel is best for their car (22%).

Bay of Plenty: Those in the Bay of Plenty are the least likely to consider switching to a motorbike/scooter to save money (7%), least likely (equal with Otago) to know which fuel is best for their car (22%), most likely to say that because of the new drink driving laws, they are no longer driving to social events where they might be drinking (53%), most likely to actively monitor fuel prices (70%), least likely to say that the cost of commute is a factor in where they live (38%), most likely to say that price is more important that convenience when looking to fuel up (66%) and least likely to be using public transport more than they were a year ago (10%).

About the survey
Canstar Blue commissions respected professional market research agency Colmar Brunton Australia, to undertake research on our behalf using SSI NZ panel.

The outcomes reported here are the results from a survey of Kiwis who have refuelled a motor vehicle at a service station in the last 1 month. In this case there were 2286 people surveyed.

Age Groups:
Gen Y: 18-29
Gen X: 30-44
Baby Boomers: 45+

ENDS

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