More than a third (35%) of motorists say they will switch to public transport if petrol and diesel prices continue to rise. 

Four out of 10 (42%) of drivers surveyed said rocketing fuel costs have already made them use public transport more often

As the £100 tank of fuel becomes a reality, research by Startline Motor Finance has found that four out of 10 (42%) say rocketing fuel costs have already made them use public transport more often.  

Only 23%, or less than a quarter, said they would carry on using their car as usual even if prices at the pumps continue to spiral.  

The research, taken from the consumer element of the firm’s July Used Car Tracker, also found that motorists are moving out of their cars and opting to use other modes of transport such as walking (32%), cycling (16%), car sharing (13%), electric bikes (6%) and electric scooters (4%).  

Gregor Sutherland, COO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “The recent arrival of the £100 tank of fuel feels like a watershed moment in the cost-of-living crisis and is clearly making quite a lot of people rethink how they use their car.  

“They are looking at all kinds of alternatives – with walking and cycling being clear favourites but public transport also in the mix. Probably the bigger question is whether these are permanent changes or people will find ways to use their car more often in the longer term.”