How To Beat Fuel Price Hike? Driving Technique to Lifestyle Changes

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Written by Shirley T

Saturday, 07 June 2008 03:20

Most Malaysians were panic upon hearing the breaking news of fuel price increase; in fact it was the highest hike in Malaysia history. Petrol price hits RM2.70 an increased of 40% from RM1.92. Meanwhile diesel cost is RM1 higher at RM2.58 with 60% raise. Phew! Last Wednesday, thousands of motorists made a bee line at the gas station to enjoy the last chance of price below RM2 mark before the clock ticked midnight on 4 June 2008.

Yes, there are plenty of grievances on this phenomenon as fuel price hike will be a chain reaction for all other items to increase as well. Despite all the worry and resentment, we still can't alter a single fact. The fuel price has increased! Do not cry over the spilled milk, we have to move on.

What to do next? Study on the options we have
Monorail and cars

1. Firstly, budget. If every month, our household expenses fund is RM2000, then we have to revisit the budget allocation. Shall we cut the entertainment cost by half for fuel consumption? Or car pooling to make it even? Buy less shoes during the mid year sale? Cut down the holiday trips travel within country instead of making overseas trips?

2. Secondly, fuel consumption is mainly owing to traveling with vehicles. Do I have the option cut down the trips/traveling frequency? Discuss with boss to allow working from home since nowadays our world is connected no matter where we are physically.

3. Thirdly, if we still need to move around, how about exploring other alternatives like driving a scooter instead of a car. Modify engine to cater for natural gas instead. Shop at nearby neighborhood, walk there and benefit our muscles as well.

4. Be a smart consumer and consider lifestyle change. If we think something is overprice, boycott the item and lodge to consumer associations for further investigation. Always consider alternatives and be flexible. Take coffee for example, if brand A offers an unreasonable price, then stop buying. Switch to brand B which can offer similar quality. Or, switch to another beverage like milk. I know old habit is hard to change but if we never try something new, we will never discover what's best it can offer.

Mirror

5. Reduce the fuel cost by optimum driving technique. Check the manual for the individual car's optimum speed, general rule of thumb is at 90km/h. Plan the journey and cut the short driving journey as starting the engine will burn more fuel. Avoid aggressive driving or tailgating to minimize chances to accelerate/press brake. Revisit the route travel, avoid roads with several traffic lights as we burn more fuel waiting at junctions and contributes to air pollution. Go to work at non peak hour. Make sure our car is at tip top condition like tyre properly inflated and change filter on timely basis. Removing the extra/unnecessary load and window rolled up will reduce drag and energy consumption.

6. Lobby, approach consumer organization and feedback to authorities to provide options to our citizens. For instance in Malaysia, we can produce/import and subsidize the electric motorized bicycle. Improve public transport services in term of frequency, punctuality, cleanliness and price. Demand more kiosks to supply natural gas so that we can modify/add-on to the current engine system to use natural gas. Natural gas is a cleaner fuel compare to petrol/diesel.

7. For Malaysia as a fuel producer country, push for PETRONAS as a public listed company for Malaysians or being managed like a proper corporate account rather than reporting to only one man; Mr Prime Minister.

8. Leveraging on the rebate. In Malaysian context, buy an old car and own a good motorcycle. For motorbike and car, a rebate of RM150 (less than 250 cc) and RM625 (less than 2,000 cc) respectively will be subsidized to the owner per year. If you have both, use motorbike and keep the car at the garage. Yet you will get a rebate of RM 775 to recoup the cost for motorbike fuel.

9. Invest and explore cycling and bicycle culture in Malaysia.

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