Two thirds prepared to drive up to 10km for cheaper fuel

Fuel Economy – two thirds prepared to drive up to 10km for cheaper fuel

Auckland, 27 June 2018. As Auckland prepares for the introduction of Fuel Tax next week, a new study reveals that Kiwis already have an eye on rising prices and some are prepared to drive up to 15km to get cheaper fuel.

The new Canstar Blue research released today also shows that the amount of people who use supermarket discount tickets or loyalty cards to lower the price at the pump is also rising.

Canstar Blue spokesperson Emma Quantrill said:

“In May we spent more than $648m[1] on fuel and unfortunately this figure could be set to rise. In Auckland alone, we found a 23-cent difference in the price of 91[2] so it really does cost you if you don’t do your research and shop around. And, while most of us understand that shipping costs to our more remote areas can inflate the price, it’s much more difficult to argue at a local level.”

Cost or convenience?

The Canstar Blue survey also revealed that although 50% of people were prepared to travel up to 5km to source cheaper fuel and a further 16% will travel as far 10km. In Auckland, these figures were 53% and 15% respectively.

Quantrill continued:

“With all eyes on Auckland in the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see the impact fuel tax has on people’s habits at the pump.

“Fuel pricing strategies have already been under the spotlight in recent months so we don’t think people are under any illusions that the repercussion of price increases could be felt on a national scale. It will be interesting to see what our next survey shows and how heavily people are being impacted.”

Satisfied customers

To find out which service station brand delivered the best overall customer satisfaction, we asked 2,503 consumers who had refuelled their motor vehicle at a service station in the last month, to rate their experience.

The Canstar Blue Award for Overall Customer Satisfaction for 2018 goes to Kiwi brand Challenge.

Accepting the award on behalf of Challenge Dealer Network Chairman, Simon Bratton said:

“We work hard at the lost art of old fashioned service. We still have people on the forecourt who will pump your gas and check the oil, and our customers are telling us that those are the things that really do make a difference. It’s fantastic to know our customers feel and value that service difference."

For further information regarding this survey, please click here.

[1] Card spending on fuel in May 2018 was $648m. Statistics NZ

[2] Correct on 26 June 2018. Not including Waiheke Island.

ENDS

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