Fuel Is up. Are You Changing Habits?

Euphemistic on 13/03/2026 - 08:53
Last edited 13/03/2026 - 10:19

We've all seen the crazy surge in fuel prices. Im wondering how many of us are choosing not to drive, driving less or going to go electric now. Its stupid we are all stuck with prices dictated by the actions of a few, but we cant do much other than use less.

Personally, not buying an EV for a while, but wishing that the right vehicle had been available for us a couple of years ago. Im choosing to drive less, cycling to work more than I have been. Catching lifts with family when we go the same direction even if ita inconvenient time wise.

Unfortunately. Public transport is pretty lame around here, so its not a great option for our travel needs. We often cross routes so it takes forever.

What are you changing?

Poll Options

  • 202
    I can't reduce my fuel use. It just sucks.
  • 109
    Im not changing my habits, ill just wear it i guess
  • 257
    Cutting back extra driving.
  • 49
    Alternatives for commuting: public transport, cycling etc
  • 1
    Downsizing the car
  • 33
    Buying an EV
  • 16
    Buying an ebike.
  • 231
    Already got an EV. I laugh in the face of fuel prices.
Automotive Fuel

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  • saltypete on 13/03/2026 - 12:58
    +24

    I have an EV, but not laughing in the face of fuel prices!
    While it makes zero difference to my personal transport, fuel cost is built into pretty well everything else I buy. Also, the folk that can least afford extra fuel cost, and can't change to an EV are locked into extra costs - which only amuses an @sshole.

  • nedski on 13/03/2026 - 10:29
    +16

    All those people who smugly pointed out that filling up a car with petrol is quicker than charging an EV are possibly regretting that.

    Also one thing I bang on about EV's, is that it gives us energy independence. EV's are talked down as a luxury item or it just wont work and lets keep doing the same thing for the past 100 years. How about we change our attitude and find out how to make it work.

    • Euphemistic on 13/03/2026 - 13:19
      +3

      Energy independence is a massive win when we get there. If we had a better start with EVs we could be in a situation where we could afford to supply the same amount of diesel for trucks and stuff, but need much less petrol for personal transport.

      Norway is a massive oil producer and has a shocking climate for EVs and yet the vast majority of new cars are EV over there. Lots of trucks too. Their populafion wont be seeing anywhere near the same transport cost increases that we are.

    • niknikniknik on 13/03/2026 - 11:19
      +2

      That doesn't quite make sense. An ICE driver would probably make a comment about the smugness of EV drivers if an emergency caused power outages for a week somewhere too. Both formats are susceptible to disruption and supply issues in their own way.

      It also only gives energy independence to echelons of society that can afford home solar, batteries etc.

      • klaw81 on 13/03/2026 - 15:21

        An ICE driver would probably make a comment about the smugness of EV drivers if an emergency caused power outages for a week somewhere too

        If there's no electricity, petrol pumps don't work either. At least there are various ways you can generate your own electricity at home, and it need not be super expensive. Have you seen how cheaply you can buy solar panels and 2nd hand inverters these days?

    • jv on 13/03/2026 - 11:14
      -1

      is that it gives us energy independence

      So you don't buy food or use services or take trips on planes??? All these will go up in price a lot over the coming months.

    • jv on 13/03/2026 - 11:12
      -5

      pointed out that filling up a car with petrol is quicker than charging an EV are possibly regretting that.

      Why? It's still way faster…

  • Fredfloresjr on 13/03/2026 - 09:39
    +12

    Glad my work installed EV chargers last year at workplace parking for EV users, and for free. Since then I have yet to spent a single penny running my car. So yeah, it sucks paying this much for a petrol.

    • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 10:46
      +1

      I've seen people mention this a bit. Do business get incentives for installing these? Who pays for it?

      • jv on 13/03/2026 - 11:51
        +1

        Who pays for it?

        Their customers…

        • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 11:59
          +5

          Please explain. So the customers are directly paying for it? Or you mean the customers are indirectly paying for it by being customers of the business?

          • tenpercent on 15/03/2026 - 10:55
            +2

            @bluemyself:

            Please explain. So the customers are directly paying for it? Or you mean the customers are indirectly paying for it by being customers of the business?

            Increased cost of doing business is passed onto customers in increased prices.
            Welcome to the world. Enjoy your stay.

            • bluemyself on 15/03/2026 - 11:22

              @tenpercent: I feel like you're responding to my comment as-is (out of context). Please re-read the initial argument and explain how your comment relates, because I don't understand.

              • tenpercent on 15/03/2026 - 17:37

                @bluemyself: You said:

                I've seen people mention this a bit. Do business get incentives for installing these? Who pays for it?

                jv answered your second question:

                Their customers…

                You then asked:

                So the customers are directly paying for it? Or you mean the customers are indirectly paying for it by being customers of the business?

                To which I answered:

                Increased cost of doing business is passed onto customers in increased prices.

                Although, to return to your first question "do business get incentives for installing these?". I believe there are direct incentives (federal and state/territory) for certain businesses, e.g. if they have a fleet of company vehicles, and also indirect incentives e.g carbon credits this is a good case study.

                • bluemyself on 15/03/2026 - 18:05

                  @tenpercent: Thanks for the breakdown. I still don't understand how it answers the question though?

                  To clarify my initial question, and maybe I'm just cynical, but generally speaking I don't see why a business would do such an expensively generous thing for their employees. That's why I was asking if there were incentives for the business to do this (e.g. from the government). The fact that jv said that the customers are paying for it doesn't make sense to me. But after the back and forth I'm assuming they mean that customers are indirectly paying for it (which while true, it's still a silly way of putting it, because it's not like the customers had any choice in the matter).

                  Now you're saying Increased cost of doing business is passed onto customers in increased prices. Which I don't disagree with, but I'm not understanding how that fits in the context of the discussion. It seems like you're saying that the customers are indirectly paying for it?

                  • tenpercent on 15/03/2026 - 19:08
                    +1

                    @bluemyself: In the absence of any incentives (e.g. the direct and indirect ones I mentioned in my last reply) then yes the customers are indirectly paying for it with higher prices.

                    • try2bhelpful on 15/03/2026 - 19:35

                      @tenpercent: You could also pick on the provision of everything else in the company. The customers pay indirectly for everything associated with running the business. Things like EV charging might offset something else that might be provided to employees as an incentive. If the company is generating their own power it might be something fairly cost effective to provide.

                      • tenpercent on 15/03/2026 - 19:50

                        @try2bhelpful:

                        You could also pick on the provision of everything else in the company. The customers pay indirectly for everything associated with running the business.

                        Absolutely. They do. Customers (and investors) ultimately pay for all expenses, but that's such a trivial thing to say. I was more focussed on the marginal case, i.e. in this case the addition of EV chargers which (absent any incentives) would be some marginal additional expense which ultimately (could) lead to a marginal increase in prices.

                        Things like EV charging might offset something else that might be provided to employees as an incentive.

                        Offsetting the cost of a new perk by withdrawing or reducing other perks is another option for covering the cost too. Good thinking.

                        If the company is generating their own power it might be something fairly cost effective to provide.

                        Generating their own power isn't a perk to employees, and it would be (at least partly) paid for by reduced opex. They could generate their own power and not provide the EV chargers. If there is enough spare power generation capacity that they can supply a certain number of EV chargers without much ongoing cost then they've overcapitalised on power generation capacity, absent any incentives. It's a possibility, but most businesses wouldn't do that unless they expected a positive NPV on the additional capacity.

                        I would suspect some combination of factors is at play though: incentives (indirect and maybe direct), combined possibly some cost cutting in the perks budget elsewhere, and ultimately some amount of increase in prices.

          • jv on 13/03/2026 - 11:59
            +1

            @bluemyself:

            So the customers are directly paying for it?

            Correct.

            • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 12:02
              +2

              @jv: So you're saying a business, that for example sells socks, their customers are paying for EV chargers and electricity for the employees of the business, directly?

              • jv on 13/03/2026 - 12:07
                +3

                @bluemyself: Yes, the money earned from the socks is used to pay their expenses.

                If expenses go up, the price of socks goes up.

                • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 12:10
                  +2

                  @jv: So the business is paying for the EV charges/electricity?

                  • jv on 13/03/2026 - 12:11

                    @bluemyself: using the customer's money.

                    • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 12:16
                      +7

                      @jv: But is it the customer's money though? Doesn't the money belong to the business since the customer exchanged it for socks?

                      If not, then why stop at the customer? Why not say that the employer of the customer is paying for the EV chargers/electricity? Or the customer of the employer of the customer?

                      • jv on 13/03/2026 - 12:34
                        -1

                        @bluemyself:

                        But is it the customer's money though?

                        It is money from the customers.

                        • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 12:39
                          +8

                          @jv: But the customer exchanged their money to the business for socks. And then the business spent that money on the EV chargers/electricity right? So the customer didn't buy the EV stuff, the business did.

                          • jv on 13/03/2026 - 12:46
                            -4

                            @bluemyself:

                            But the customer exchanged their money

                            No, they paid for the sock.

                            It was the same currency.

                            • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 12:50
                              +5

                              @jv: Yeah they paid for the sock with money. So now the money belongs to the business. And the business paid for the EV chargers/electricity.

                              • jv on 13/03/2026 - 12:51
                                -3

                                @bluemyself:

                                Yeah they paid for the sock with money. So now the money belongs to the business

                                and the business then used the money from the customer to pay for the EV chargers.

                                • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 12:55
                                  +7

                                  @jv: Yeah, so the business paid for it. Not the customer. Right?

                                  • jv on 13/03/2026 - 15:58
                                    -1

                                    @bluemyself:

                                    Yeah, so the business paid for it.

                                    using money from the customer.

                                    • s1234567890m on 13/03/2026 - 17:21
                                      +6

                                      @jv: Which is how money works? Your employer gives you money for work and you buy what you want? Ie Like they use customer money to pay rent, wages, New purchases etc.

                                    • bluemyself on 13/03/2026 - 17:28
                                      +3

                                      @jv:

                                      using money from the customer.

                                      But that wasn't my original question. Go back to my original question and re-answer it. Include the question in your answer.

                                      • jonomatic on 15/03/2026 - 09:56
                                        +1

                                        @bluemyself: I can’t tell if this thread understands that when you pay a business you effectively pay for a portion of everything that business does. You just happen to end up with a particular product or service depending on how much you pay them. It’s because businesses factor direct costs and indirect costs into the price of what they sell.

                                        It’s the same as paying taxes. Nobody says “I’ve given my money to the government now it belongs to them and they can do whatever they want with it”

                                        • klaw81 on 15/03/2026 - 10:37
                                          +1

                                          @jonomatic:

                                          Nobody says “I’ve given my money to the government now it belongs to them and they can do whatever they want with it”

                                          What kind of nonsense is this? That's exactly how it works. Paying taxes doesn't mean you get to choose how the money is spent.

                                          We expect governments to spend money wisely and carefully because there's a limited amount of it each year, and wasting it is bad for everyone. But that's beside the point - how tax revenue is spent is decided by government, and voting for the people who make those decisions is entirely separate.

                                          Similarly, when you buy something from a business, you're get no say on how they spend that money afterwards. They can donate it all to charity, or spend it on illicit drugs. You agree to an exchange of value (typically money for goods or services), and that's the end of it.

                                        • bluemyself on 15/03/2026 - 11:23

                                          @jonomatic: I feel like you're responding to my comment as-is (out of context). Please re-read the initial argument and explain how your comment relates, because I don't understand.

      • Eeples on 16/03/2026 - 16:18

        I think if they owned the land and the charger it would be a business expense. It would be up to them if they choose to charge their employees or not. Ie. A job might come with car space with a charger.

    • tenpercent on 15/03/2026 - 17:38

      my work installed EV chargers last year at workplace parking for EV users, and for free. Since then I have yet to spent a single penny running my car.

      Is that a fringe benefit?

      • lddv04 on 16/03/2026 - 13:30
        +1

        Sound like a fringe benefit to me!

        • tenpercent on 17/03/2026 - 21:38

          I wonder if it is taxed.

  • nubzy on 13/03/2026 - 19:36
    +10

    Been walking 10-20k steps a day for years + I am riding my e-bike daily. I rode to Westfield (about 12km with lots of hills) last weekend and discovered an excellent council bike facility with showers, repair tools, CCTV etc so I think i'll be doing that a lot more. I would never attempt that on a regular bike, but the e-bike makes it so easy and I feel much more confident on the road. Fit it out with panniers and you can carry plenty and get around quite easily and comfortably so long as the weather is good. To be honest I think most people are far too reliant on their cars. Walking and cycling will make you feel a lot better and less stressed. There's really no need to take the car for a 5 minute drive to the local shops unless you are disabled or it's raining etc.

    • cloudy on 14/03/2026 - 19:47
      +1

      Hope more people read this, better for everyone if more people did what you do.

    • shap08 on 16/03/2026 - 11:51

      a mid range cargo ebike is $5-7k - helps you carry a few kids, but not as affordable as people think.

      • SetTheFaqUp on 21/03/2026 - 17:44

        I would jump on board if the road is safe to ride on. Seem some real hairy stuff.

    • movieman on 24/03/2026 - 17:58

      How did you fit the panniers to the bike?

      Any recommendations for a basic setup?

      • nubzy on 24/03/2026 - 20:33
        +1

        I use the Topeak Trunkbag MTX DXP (https://www.pushys.com.au/topeak-mtx-trunkbag-dxp-2-0/?gad_s…) which is more convenient than dedicated panniers IMO. Most of the time I just use it as a trunkbag with tools, high vis strap, water bottle etc in the back. But when I stop by the shops for a few things I unroll the panniers and load up.

        If you want the quick release system and your bike already has a rack, then all you need is the Topeak Omni Quicktrack adapter and a trunkbag of your choice.

        If you don't care for quick release, you can get a trunkbag with velcro straps that go around the rack.

        If you don't have a rack, then you will need to fit one first. Maybe head to a bike shop and see what they recommend. My Aventon Level 3 came with a rack, I just needed the large Omni Quicktrack adapter to get setup.

        • movieman on 24/03/2026 - 21:01

          Thanks for the suggestions.

          Yes, unfortunately my bike doesn't have a rack - looks like that's the first port of call.

  • Simon Beech on 13/03/2026 - 09:03
    +8

    yes, usually i would drive to places on the weekend but now using the train (free as already hit the $50 cap during the week)

    • montorola on 13/03/2026 - 11:08
      +50

      Laughs in Brisbane with 50c fares and perfect weather

      • pwnd on 13/03/2026 - 11:30
        +34

        perfect weather?
        I am dying with the humidity right now.

        • montorola on 13/03/2026 - 11:45
          -2

          Still better than depressing overcast gloomy Melbourne weather

          • Euphemistic on 13/03/2026 - 13:13
            +31

            @montorola: Not sure about that. Humidity sucks the life out of you.

            • eddyah on 13/03/2026 - 23:10
              +1

              @Euphemistic: By life you mean SALT then yes it does.

              • Euphemistic on 13/03/2026 - 23:49
                +9

                @eddyah: Its the heat that 'sucks' the salt out of you through sweat, along with a hunch of water. High humidity means you cant cool down naturally.

            • Hoborg on 15/03/2026 - 00:30

              @Euphemistic: I haven't met her. Can you intro me?

          • Usernames on 15/03/2026 - 07:35
            +1

            @montorola: But worse than uplifting sunny bright Melbourne weather

      • Simon Beech on 13/03/2026 - 11:27
        +19

        at least my state isnt filled with victorians now

        • BOGOF on 13/03/2026 - 11:28
          +44

          At least we can spot them. Walking around in their frock coats and top hats.

      • Daabido on 13/03/2026 - 17:53
        +3

        That aged poorly.

      • R4 on 16/03/2026 - 15:16

        'perfect weather'

        Mmmmm, humidity says hold my beer…..

      • AussieMark on 14/03/2026 - 17:09
        -1

        Is it 50 C per trip or per hour. I never understood if I get like 5 short trips

        • montorola on 14/03/2026 - 17:13

          Per trip. But if you go and come back within two hours, you only get charged for one trip ;)

          • Tleyx on 16/03/2026 - 07:28

            @montorola: It's per journey not per trip.

            So you can change modes and have multiple trips in the one journey, including going there and back

  • Bignudge on 13/03/2026 - 09:31
    +7

    As shitty as it sounds and just like many other businesses… I now find myself charging every customer an extra $5 more than usual. (A usual charge would around the $150 mark, now it'll be at $155).

    And this is just trying to make up for fuel to get to and from places… let alone the rising cost of living when every business does that

    • meong on 15/03/2026 - 14:44
      +6

      This is what people dont understand.

      I drive an EV and I have 40kwh battery which means its very rare for me to charge from the grid.

      It doesn't mean I will be fully laughing as our groceries etc are still being delivered to the stores using diesel trucks so everything will eventually increase.

      Judging by the way Iran is responding to the attacks, it looks like they are playing for the long game so this means this war will last for months.

  • Bikies on 13/03/2026 - 09:36
    +7

    Laughs in LPG Falcon

    • Antikythera on 13/03/2026 - 12:13
      +2

      Laughing also. But LPG Commodore

      Still multiple sources at 78.9c
      Weirdly including a major that is usually higher than others.

      Though one station on my commute went from 82c to 87c

      • Gunnar on 13/03/2026 - 17:10
        +2

        Laughing also. But LPG Commodore

        We're also laughing but not for the same reason

      • LFO on 14/03/2026 - 11:18

        What's the average MPG, please?

        Any dramatic difference on MPG between Suburban and Highway?

        Asking because millions of taxis in a far away country run on LPG (dual, actually).

        • Antikythera on 14/03/2026 - 18:00
          +2

          its about 15-25% higher usage than the petrol equivalent.

          my personal MPG is not a good indicator though, cos i constantly drive it like i stole it.

          Australia's taxi fleet also used to be largely LPG. but I believe when they shifted to hybrid they went petrol-electric rather than LPG-electric.

    • Wiadro on 13/03/2026 - 09:50

      i hope its an AU

      • JimB on 13/03/2026 - 10:01
        +9

        The myth, The legend.

      • Gunnar on 13/03/2026 - 13:28
        +3

        I run my AU on water when I’m short on cash

        • ThirdRonnie on 13/03/2026 - 23:35
          +2

          How often do you have to be told? Don't drive in floods!

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 13/03/2026 - 11:50
        +1

        Uncle Ian's favourite.

      • Vomo on 13/03/2026 - 19:13

        I had a XD

    • kobeduck on 16/03/2026 - 12:26

      i miss my old "hybrid"

  • Wiadro on 13/03/2026 - 09:46
    +5

    im buying some cheap V8's thats for sure.

    • Gunnar on 13/03/2026 - 10:11
      +2

      I'm flexing my wealth by coal rolling

    • 2esc on 14/03/2026 - 11:48

      Majority will be holding or still be going up in value due to increasing rarity.

  • Ocker on 13/03/2026 - 09:51
    +5

    Poll should include no change to habit

    • Euphemistic on 13/03/2026 - 10:19

      I guess its different to not changing because you cant.

      Added

  • stuffandthat on 13/03/2026 - 10:04
    +5

    Laughs in EV as I Queen wave past all the people lined up at the servo.

    • Euphemistic on 13/03/2026 - 10:22
      +1

      I think people were 'panic buying' because of an imminent price rise not so much fear of it running out. I know as soon as i heard about the first strikes i told my family to fill up straight away, no matter how much was in the tank. Glad we did, its gone up over 50c since then.

    • H3R34TH4C0MM3NTS on 15/03/2026 - 17:22

      yeah but how much extra did you have to pay for the EV, I have found EVs to be around double the price for a similar ICE car in the same class. you may end up being ahead in the long run , but I may take a few years.

      • try2bhelpful on 15/03/2026 - 17:23

        An ICE with no petrol is an installation art piece in your garage.

      • klaw81 on 15/03/2026 - 18:18

        I have found EVs to be around double the price for a similar ICE car in the same class.

        Which class would that be? It's usually more, but double seems unlikely.

        For hatchbacks, they're pretty close to parity. For mid-size sedans, it's around 10%. For mid-size SUVs, closer to 15%. So maybe large 4wds?

        Given the current pattern of rapid depreciation in 2-3 year old EVs, that's where the good buys are currently found.

        • H3R34TH4C0MM3NTS on 16/03/2026 - 13:44

          well comparing the model 3 to a Hyundai i30 , the telsa starts at 54K whereas the Hyundai starts at 30K. , plus onroads for both, I haven't looked at all categories though, but just an eye ball check I find theres a lot of sticker shock in new EVs

          • klaw81 on 16/03/2026 - 14:16
            +1

            @H3R34TH4C0MM3NTS: The i30 isn't a mid-size sedan, it's basically a compact hatchback with a different boot. It competes with the Corolla, while the Model 3 is more similar to the Camry in terms of size and interior space. And it has higher base equipment levels than any of them.

            The Model 3 isn't the cheapest EV in its class either. The BYD Seal starts about $4k cheaper, and so will the new Mazda 6e in July.

            But IMO you'd be crazy to buy a new EV right now unless you're using a novated lease for the tax advantages. Instead, buy a used one that's only 2 years old -you'll get much better value for money.

    • whitepuma on 16/03/2026 - 10:33

      you will still be impacted, just not at the servo.

      • stuffandthat on 13/03/2026 - 11:17
        +11

        I'll still be better off.

        • jv on 13/03/2026 - 11:30
          -7

          Maybe, maybe not…

      • klaw81 on 13/03/2026 - 15:05
        +2

        Super doubtful doubtful the next federal budget will include a road user charge. The mechanism for such a charge is highly complex and needs an agreement with all states and territories.

        • tenpercent on 14/03/2026 - 11:23

          The mechanism for such a charge is highly complex

          What like reporting your odometer reading every tax return and keeping a photo for tax records? Sounds really complex.

          • Euphemistic on 14/03/2026 - 13:19

            @tenpercent:

            What like reporting your odometer reading every tax return and keeping a photo for tax records? Sounds really complex

            Not really complex, but too easy to cheat with.

          • klaw81 on 14/03/2026 - 14:05

            @tenpercent:

            What like reporting your odometer reading every tax return and keeping a photo for tax records?

            I can't tell if you're naive, or being deliberately obtuse. The issue is way more complex than that.

            Firstly, taxpayers and registered owners of vehicles are not the same people. The system needs to allow for vehicles registered to companies, for non-citizens who don't pay tax in Australia and a vast number of other edge cases that don't slot neatly into your little scenario.

            Secondly, there's the issue of timing. Updating who's responsible for the tax on a particular day depends on who the vehicle is registered to. Given that private sales of vehicles is common, the system needs to keep up with those changes. There's additional complexity around new cars, cars going to scrap etc. You'd need real-time feeds from all the different systems to deal with that - the ATO isn't equipped to handle that, and the states and territories aren't set up to share that level of data in real-time either. So it's going to fall on the states to deal with, and be paid at the same time as registration renewal.

            There is one alternative option - prepaid RUC "vouchers" bought online from a federal government website. Vouchers would be associated with the vehicle's registration and display the odometer reading that it's valid for. You can pay for 1000km at a time, and purchase up to 10,000km at any time. Those vouchers could be transferred with the vehicle in the event of a sale, or the remainder redeemed if the car is taken off the road and the plates returned. It would probably mean a return to displaying paperwork on the windscreen of the vehicle.

            • tenpercent on 14/03/2026 - 17:14

              @klaw81: Looks like you have it all sorted out and thought of everything. And you conveyed the solution completely in 1 paragraph comprising 4 sentences… Like I said… sounds really complex.

        • jv on 13/03/2026 - 15:06
          -2

          and needs an agreement with all states and territories.

          Why?

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