Kiwis driving across town for cheaper fuel

Kiwis driving across town for cheaper fuel

Close to a third of New Zealanders will drive to get cheaper petrol than go to the closest station

Auckland, Friday 8 July: Convenience or price? According to the results of Canstar Blue’s most recent survey, Kiwis are choosing a cheaper deal on their petrol over the convenience of a trip to their local service station.

The nationwide survey looking at New Zealanders’ service stations habits shows that 32% of us will drive further to get cheaper petrol than go to the closest one and risk an expensive tank.

Convenience is obviously not a huge factor for Kiwis when it comes to purchasing their fuel, says Canstar New Zealand General Manager, Jose George.

“New Zealanders aren’t too fussed about full-service stations either, with just 7% saying that they only go to the stations where the attendants pump their fuel for them – showing that we would rather get a good deal above any of the extra comforts and convenience.”

Gen X are more likely to look for a station closer to home while Gen Ys are the most willing of the generations to chase down a good deal (35%).

Kiwis are conscious of how much money is being pumped out of their pockets on petrol and more than half are actively monitoring fuel prices to ensure they buy at the right time and from the right provider, George continues.

“There are some great services out there, like AA Fuel watch that help you to monitor the prices and keep on top of your spending.”

Baby Boomers are the most likely of the generations to watch petrol prices (60%) compared to Gen Ys (45%). Men (59%) are also significantly more likely than women (46%) to keep an eye on the fuel market.

How much are we spending a month?

The majority (51%) of New Zealanders are spending $100-$249 a month at the pump.

A lucky 35% are spending less than $100 – of which, Wellingtonians are most likely to boast a lesser spend on fuel (41%).

Baby Boomers are most likely to spend the least amount of fuel per month with 48% residing in the less than $100 bracket, while more than half of Gen Ys and Gen X (53% and 54%) are spending up to $249.

A larger number of Generation X (17%) are claiming to spend between $250 and $500.

What other options do we have?

The increase in the number of Kiwis waiting at the bus stop or train station, while still growing, has slowed down year on year with just 9% stating that they are using more public transport than they were a year ago, compared to 19% who said the same in 2015.

A city without public transport is a city that regularly grinds to a halt so it is promising to see that public transport use is still on the rise, says George.

“Reducing congestion, environmental damage and cost to the consumer are just some of the benefits of using the transport system. It also contributes to economic growth and productivity by providing easy, fast access between peoples’ homes and where they work and play.

“For some, public transport will never be an option due to shift work, or destinations not served by the network but for those who can, it’s a great way to save money on fuel and help with traffic.”

How are we filling up?

On the whole, not many Kiwis are filling up their tank to the brim each time they visit the petrol station; just over one in five (21%) put in a set cash amount to simply get them where they need to go.

Southlanders are most likely to just put in the bare minimum they need to keep moving while those in Marlborough are the least likely to choose a set amount (8%).

Aside from petrol, 16% of Kiwis are using the car wash at the petrol station. Wellingtonians are the most likely to do so (20%).

We’re out of milk!

The number of New Zealanders using their local service station as a one-stop shop for all of their essentials has decreased from the same survey in 2015, from 26% to just 9%. Northlanders are the most likely to rely on their local station for when they run out of the essentials (12%).

Customer satisfaction ratings for 2016

Z Energy, a repeat winner of this award, is the 2016 Canstar Blue Customer Satisfaction Award – Service Stations winner with a 5-star rating from their consumers for overall satisfaction.

Z Energy was the only station to take away full marks for their appearance and facilities, the number one driver of satisfaction for consumers when rating their service station.

This is followed by service (29%) and surprisingly though petrol pricing is competitive, value for money is ranked a distant third for consumers (18%).

As a Kiwi company, you can find a Z Energy station in just about every neighbourhood, says George.

“Responding to a desire to have a NZ energy brand, run by Kiwis and with a heavy dose of New Zealand attitude and culture, Z Energy was formed six years ago. It would seem that they have delivered on their desire to deliver to consumers like no one else.”

Canstar Blue customer satisfaction ratings – Service Stations

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 (exceptions only):

Northland: Northlanders are most likely to rely on their local service station for when they run out of essentials (e.g. milk, bread, eggs) (12%).

Waikato: Those in the Waikato are most likely to drive further to get cheaper petrol than go to the closest one (39%).

Hawke’s Bay: Those in Hawke’s Bay are least likely to only go to service stations where the attendants pump their fuel for them (4%).

Manawatu/Whanganui: Those in Manawatu/Whanganui are most likely to actively monitor fuel prices (61%).

Wellington: Wellingtonians are most likely to be using more public transport than they were a year ago (18%) and most likely to use the car wash at the petrol station (20%).

Marlborough: Those in Marlborough are least likely to be using more public transport than they were a year ago (0%), least likely to only ever put a set cash amount to get them where they need to go rather than fill up the tank (8%), least likely to rely on their local service station for when they run out of the essentials (3%), and least likely to use the car wash at the petrol station (5%).

Otago: Those in Otago are least likely to drive further to get cheaper petrol than go to the closest one (15%).

Southland: Southlanders are most likely to only go to service stations where the attendants pump their fuel for them (16%), most likely to only ever put in a set cash amount to get them where they need to go rather than fill up the tank (29%) and least likely to actively monitor fuel prices (41%).

About the survey

Canstar Blue commissioned I-view to survey 2,500 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction.

The outcomes reported are the results from customers who have refuelled a motor vehicle at a service station in the last 1 month – in this case 2,358 New Zealanders.

ENDS

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