Rising fuel costs are driving widespread anxiety among motorists and beginning to impact wider automotive businesses as new data highlights growing financial pressure on both drivers and the sector.
Research from Close Brothers Motor Finance shows two in five (42%) Brits are concerned about rising petrol and diesel prices, with one in five (20%) saying the situation is causing stress and anxiety about everyday travel.
Drivers cutting journeys
The data suggests the impact is already reshaping behaviour, with nearly a third (32%) of drivers cutting back on journeys to reduce fuel usage.
At the same time, 12% say they have reduced other household spending just to afford fuel, while a further 12% are turning to alternative transport such as public transport, cycling or walking.
More acute pressures are also emerging, with 9% saying they are reluctant to drive in case they cannot afford fuel and 4% reporting they cannot afford to fuel their car at all.
Longer-term behavioural shifts are beginning to surface, with 7% considering switching to a more fuel-efficient or electric vehicle and another 7% increasing home working to cut commuting costs.
The social impact is also significant, with 62% of consumers saying they know someone personally worried about fuel costs, underlining how widely the issue is being felt.
John Cassidy, managing director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, commented: “The fuel crisis is no longer just a cost issue – it’s a pressure point on everyday life. With two in five drivers worried about rising prices and one in five uneasy about simply getting from A to B, it’s clear the impact goes beyond finances.
“However, what’s particularly concerning is that people aren’t just changing how they drive – they’re cutting back on household spending to keep their vehicles on the road. For many, driving isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, it’s part of their job, so these rising costs are forcing difficult trade-offs.
“While tools like the Fuel Finder Scheme are a step in the right direction, they don’t address the root of the problem. If high fuel prices persist, there is a growing case for further support to help ease the burden on motorists who are already stretching their budgets to breaking point.”
Pressure spreads to motor trade
The impact is also being felt across the automotive sector, with the Institute of the Motor Industry warning that rising fuel and energy costs are creating wider operational challenges.
Nick Connor, chief executive of the IMI, said: “The sharp rise in fuel prices is another clear example of the growing cost pressures facing the entire automotive ecosystem, not just drivers, but IMI members who are the individuals and businesses that keep the UK moving.
“For many employers, particularly SMEs, this creates a perfect storm. Rising fuel and energy costs increase the day-to-day cost of operating, while at the same time placing pressure on investment in workforce development, skills, and training. These are often the first areas to feel strain when margins tighten, but they are critical to the sector’s long-term resilience.
“There is a real risk that without the right support, these pressures could slow progress in building a future-ready workforce and ultimately feed through to higher costs and reduced service capacity for consumers.
“That’s why it’s vital that government recognises the cumulative impact of these cost challenges and takes action to support automotive businesses, protecting not only the sector, but the millions of drivers and communities that rely on it every day.”
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